5. Expedition to Mexico - Cortes

Flowchart nodes

• Expedition to Mexico, 1519 (Velázquez - governor of Cuba) (Cortes - commander of Mexico expedition)

• Working for Velázquez in Cuba, Cortes became rich. Cortes was responsible for establishing trading relations but was ordered not to settle on the mainland

• Velázquez realised Cortes may not listen to his orders and changed his mind about having Cortes in charge. Cortes had already left with 11 ships, 600 men and 100 cuban slaves 

• Mexico was dominated by the Aztec Empire ruled by Montezuma. Many tribes (eg. Tlaxcalans) hated the Aztec rules and were potential allies for Cortes

• March 1519 Cortes landed in Mexico, claiming it for Spain

• He proceeded to the Tabasco River where he won a battle against the native tribes - the Mayans. He had a significant military advantage with horses

• He was given native women whom he turned to Christianity. One of them was Malinche - who spoke to the tribes on Cortes' behalf and became his mistress. Cortes could now meet and negotiate with the Aztecs

• Montezuma's spies had been tracking Cortes - they were concerned about the alliances he was making

• Massacre at Cholula

• Montezuma sent gifts to Cortes, inviting him to come to Tenochtitlan

• They advised him to travel through Cholula, under Aztec control. Cortes, fearing a trap, accepted the Tlaxcalan's offer to provide him 1000 warriors to go wtih him

• Cortes' soldiers entered Cholula on the way to Tenochtitlan and massacred 3000 people and destroyed the sacred city

• This shocked the Aztec Empire and proved the power of the Spanish. The Spanish and their allies began to advance on Tenochtitlan

• Spanish arrived in Tenochtitlan - 1519. Montezuma initially welcomed the Spanish as guests - (possibly believing they were gods?)

• Cortes tricked Montezuma, taking him prisoner and threatening to kill anyone who opposed the Spanish. 

• Cortes forced Montezuma to act as a puppet king, ruling the Aztec Empire according to Cortes' instructions

• Christian images were put on Aztec temples to show the Christian God was superior to Aztec Gods

• Defeat of the Aztecs, 1520-21 April 1520 - 1000 Spaniards sent by Velázquez were sent to arrest Cortes

• Cortes left his deputy Alvarado in charge at Tenochtitlan, while Cortes defeated Velázquez's forces, many of whom defected to Cortes

• Fearing a rebellion, Alvarado killed the Aztec nobles. This led to the Night of Tears (June 1520). The Aztecs turned on the Spanish killing 2/3rds of them. Montezuma was killed, either by the Spanish as they fled or by his own people. 

• Cortes and his allies regrouped and besieged Tenochtitlan. 13 August 1521 - city surrendered to the Spanish 

• Cortes' actions 

• Built Mexico City - destroying temples and culture of the natives 

• Named governor - captain general of Mexico

• Killed Aztec political and religious leaders - leaving people unable to challenge the Spanish. Natives had no one else to look up to and therefore conformed to the Spanish

• Converted natives to Christianity - suggests he would've been popular back in Spain as he converted more people to Christianity 

• Collected tributes - gaining riches

• Developed agriculture to fulfil his aims of making Mexico self sufficient. Imported sheep, goats, vines and silk worms 

• Allocated land to the Spaniards and encouraged others to settle there. Set up the encomienda system

• However, he was unpopular with some conquistadors. He was accused of stealing gold and misrule. 

• Cortes returned to Spain to explain himself and was demoted to captain-general but was able to keep his land. 

• Cortes developed new cities, including Mexico City. He developed mining (iron and silver). Many natives were employed there