The Collision of Worldviews: The Aztec Empire and the Spanish Conquest

Social Hierarchy: * Both societies were strictly hierarchical, meaning individuals were ranked into specific social classes (nobles, priests, and commoners).
Education Systems: * Aztec Education: Education was free and mandatory for all children, regardless of social status. * Spanish Education: Spain lacked a national education system. While the Church offered basic education to some commoners, formal schooling was primarily reserved for the nobility.
Gender Roles: * In both Aztec and Spanish societies, men and women held distinct, different roles. * A commonality between both was the expectation that women manage the household and the family.
The Concept and Value of Gold: * Spanish Perspective: Gold was viewed primarily as money and a form of currency/wealth to be craved and accumulated. * Aztec Perspective: Gold was regarded as a luxury item used for decoration, similar in value to feathers (which were highly prized by the Aztec). It was not utilized as a currency.

Aztec Specifics: * Valuation of Labor: Aztec culture valued hard work, a trait ingrained by the Great Migration where survival for hundreds of years required intense labor. * Scope of the World: The Aztec had no knowledge of outside societies. They believed Tenochtitlan was the center of the universe. * Technological Gaps: They lacked the advanced military and travel technology of the Europeans, such as guns and complex navigation tools.
Spanish Specifics: * Labor Attitudes: The Spanish nobility tended to look down upon manual labor. * Global Awareness: Due to their location in Europe and history of exploration, the Spanish were aware of a wide variety of cultures and other societies, giving them a strategic advantage in interactions. * Advanced Technology: They possessed guns, tracking technology, and sophisticated travel/navigation capabilities.
Shared Traits (Similarities): * Governance: Both maintained strong, centralized governments led by powerful figures (Emperors for the Aztec; Monarchs for the Spanish). * History of Expansion: Both civilizations had a history of conquering other peoples. * Military Respect: Warriors (Aztec) and Conquistadors (Spanish) were highly respected within their respective cultures. * Religion: Religious belief was a pervasive influence that shaped almost every aspect of their worldviews.

Spanish Religious Stance: Spain was strictly Roman Catholic; it was the only religion permitted. This drove the Spanish ambition to convert "heathen" populations they encountered.
Aztec Religious Stance: Their polytheistic view included the prophecy of the return of gods, specifically Quetzalcoatl. Because the Aztec had no prior knowledge of Europeans, there was initial confusion as to whether the Spanish were humans or incarnations of returning gods.
Interaction Conflict: The Spanish viewed the non-Catholic Aztec as people who needed to be converted or taken over, while the Aztec religious framework created a hesitation based on theological uncertainty.

Personal Background: * Born around $1485$ in Medellin, Spain, to a noble family. * Left Spain in $1504$ for Hispaniola to seek his fortune. * Arrived in Cuba in $1511$ . * Gained political power in Cuba, serving twice as the Mayor of Santiago. * Character Traits: Described as intelligent, clever, and ruthless.
The Expedition to Mexico ( $1519$ ): * Governor Diego Velasquez of Cuba initially urged Cortez to lead an expedition after rumors of a wealthy mainland empire surfaced. * Velasquez attempted to cancel the voyage at the last minute, but Cortez defied him. * Cortes sailed on February 18, $1519$ , with $11$ ships, $16$ horses, and $500$ men. * He founded the city of Veracruz on the East Coast of Central Mexico (Gulf Coast). * To prevent mutiny among his men who feared being surrounded by enemies, Cortez ordered his fleet of ships to be burned, claiming they were no longer seaworthy. This forced his crew to remain and conquer.
Ambitions and Strategy: * Cortez wanted to capture territory in the name of Christianity and the Spanish Crown. * His worldview was heavily influenced by the Spanish Reconquista and the concept of imperialism as a right. * Recognizing he was outnumbered, he used stealth, cunning, and guns to overcome the Aztec.

$1519$ : Cortez lands on the shores of Mexico; first interaction with the Aztec.
Capture of Moctezuma: Cortez met the Emperor Moctezuma and promptly took him hostage.
Internal Spanish Conflict: Cortez had to leave Tenochtitlan to deal with a force sent by Governor Velasquez to arrest him. He took the commander hostage and convinced the rival Spanish troops to join him.
Pedro de Alvarado's Massacre: While Cortez was away, his lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado, massacred several priests and committed atrocities in Tenochtitlan, leading to an Aztec uprising.
The Death of Moctezuma: Moctezuma attempted to calm the rioting crowd but was killed by a rock thrown by protesters.
La Noche Triste (The Sad Night): The Spanish were driven out of Tenochtitlan with massive losses.
The Fall ( $1521$ – $1522$ ): Cortez returned in $1521$ with the help of native allies, specifically the Tlaxcalans (a group the Aztec had never successfully conquered). He laid siege to the city.
Legacy: By $1522$ , the Aztec society was destroyed. Cortez was named Captain General of New Spain and Governor of Mexico in $1523$ . He later discovered California and died on December 2, $1547$ , in Seville, Spain.

Question: How did Aztec and Spanish views on gold differ? * Answer: For the Spanish, it was money and wealth. For the Aztec, it was a luxury decoration similar to feathers. This difference was a major factor in the Spanish craving to conquer the civilization.
Question: What was a major disadvantage for the Aztec when meeting the Spanish? * Answer: Their total lack of awareness concerning other civilizations. While the Spanish were seasoned in dealing with different cultures, the Aztec believed they were the center of the universe, causing a massive psychological and strategic shock when the Spanish arrived.
Question: What was the significance of the Tlaxcalans? * Answer: They were an enemy society the Aztec had not taken over. They allied with Cortez to help defeat the Aztec empire in $1521$ .