Esmeralda Rojas
Professor Imhof
History 107
24 June 2015
Forum 7
The myth of Quetzalcoatl connects to the past, present, and future of the Aztecs. This myth includes true historical events. Quetzalcoatl was probably Topiltzin (Introducing Quetzalcoatl). Topiltzin was a high priest, and the “great leader of the Toltecs” (Introducing Quetzalcoatl). He changed his name to Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was known and remembered as a great leader who was very nurturing, caring, helpful, and informative. He changed the capital of the Toltec nation to Tula in 950, where he gave “his people laws and ethical principles by which to live and taught them how to improve their standard of living” (Introducing Quetzalcoatl).
In the myth of Quetzalcoatl, he is not the only main one. The Aztec
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Coincidentally, in 1519 Cortes and the Spanish arrived in the Americas, “strange people coming forward over a distant plain” (The Spanish Conquest of Mexico). Since so many people had been waiting the return of Quetzalcoatl, when Cortes arrived and was so much like Quetzalcoatl they believed it was him. Everyone believed Cortes was a God including the native people and Monazuma (a known killer). This saved Cortes from being killed and got many people to ally with him. Cortes also began to realize they thought he was a God because they were referring to him as “Teules” (The Spansih Conquest of Mexico). Eventually people began to realize it is not him, because he lacks the generosity and sincerity of Quetzalcoatl. Cortes just takes and takes and takes, and gives nothing back to the people. Eventually Cortes and the Spanish conquer the Aztecs. The history of the Aztecs is heavily incorporated in the myth of Quetzalcoatl and also had a lot to do with the events that occurred after the Spanish
Hernan Cortes. Spain’s savior, nightmare for the Aztecs. The man who brought gold and glory to Spain, at the cost of the destruction of a rich, thriving civilisation. Hernan Cortez was a cunning, manipulative, intelligent conquistador and he and his army single handedly took down one of the greatest civilizations of all time by forging, advanced weaponry, alliances and the Conquistador’s Formula. Some may argue that Dona Marina is most responsible because she advised and told Cortes what the enemy was planning, but she was merely a pawn in Cortes’s grand scheme of conquering the Aztecs, as Cortes was the true mastermind and defeated the Aztecs for these reasons: First Cortes and his army has more advanced weapons such as Halberds, crossbows,
1. How was it possible for Hernan Cortes and other European explorers to overcome well-established Native American cultures with millions of people? Hernan Cortes is one of the most well-known Spanish conquistadors. He is best remembered for conquering the Aztec empire and claiming Mexico for Spain. He also helped colonize Cuba and became a governor of New Spain.
Thi Vo Pre-Ap world history Mr.le 2nd p Hippo document Document 1 H- The map was illustrate from 1427 the reign of itzcoatl to 1520,reign of motecuhzoma I-this map intended to the future people to show the history of Aztec between 1427 to 1520 P-The Anztec was conquest all the land from itzcoatl start in 1427 to throughout the mid-south America P-The purpose of this map was to show what territory did Aztecs conquer the land from time to time. O-the warrior of aztec has conquered the land throughout 93 years,started from itzcoatl until to the reign of Motecuhzoma.
Among the Aztecs, the name Quetzalcoatl was also a priestly title, as the two most important priests of the Aztec Templo Mayor were called "Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl was believed to be a peaceful king dedicated to the faith of the feathered serpent. (1) Quetzalcoatl changed the original capital of Colhuacan to Tula. It is believed that Quetzalcoatl arrived at Tula as a stranger and taught the people there of wood carving, jewel cutting,and feather-working (2,1) Tula was believed to be a mystical land with foods growing to be the size of large rocks, and cotton naturally grown as vibrant bright colors.
Although the Spanish formally ‘colonised’ the Aztec and Inca empires, their tactics took on the characteristics of a conquistador. The words of Moctezuma’s priests adapted from the Codex Florentino, accounts compiled by the Benedectine priest Bernardino de Sahagún: “Our lord, we are no match for them: we are mere nothings!” (1519). The fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521 and the final and prolonged fall of the Inca Empire in 1572 concluded years of resistance and begun the history of the “New World”. Leadership of these two empires prior to Spanish arrival was uncertain because; Moctezuma (Montezuma) believed that the were Gods reclaimed to earth and the Inca emperor died in the smallpox epidemic, starting a civil war for leadership (History.com, 2009 and Mark Cartwright, Ancient.eu, 2014).
The Broken Spears by Miguel Leon Portilla portrays many themes about the spanish conquest in the account of the Aztecs. However, The Seven Myth of the Spanish Conquest by Matthew Restall conveys themes harmonize with The Broken Spears concepts. In The Broken Spear the spaniards were perceived as barbaric by the Aztecs and vise versa. When the spaniards attacked during the fiesta of Toxcatl they performed a lot of bloodshed and barbaric actions.
The Aztecs were alarmed by their religious practices. At the time of the arrival of the Spanish, Moctezuma II was the leader. He had his people to not associate or trade with Cortés and his men. He told Cortés to not enter the Capital and sent gifts to influence them not to go (“The Spanish
Key Terms Aztecs - The Aztecs were around the time period 1325 and found modern day Mexico city. They believed in the many gods and believed that the sun fought the moon to save mankind. When Hernan Cortes came, the aztecs thought it was their god Quetzalcoatl. Montezuma, the god upon men, turned himself over to Cortes. Cortes and his men killed Montezuma and the Aztecs realized that he was not their god.
There are many wild theories about what the Aztecs thought about the Spanish arriving in Tenochtitlan. All these theories can be narrowed down to one outcome which was that the Aztecs thought that the leader of the Spanish, Cortes Herman was their god Quetzalcoatl. The Aztecs thinking that Cortes was their god welcomed him with much honour and freedom in their city, but little did they know that it was their biggest mistake yet. When did Cortes arrive in Tenochtitlan, Mexico? Cortes arrival in Mexico was unwelcomed by many of the inhabitants in Mexico.
The author gives insight on how many ways the Spaniards used their power to assist in the downfall of the Aztecs. The reason why the Spaniards became victorious, was because the Spaniards were looked upon as if they were gods because of their outer appearance. The Aztecs broke bread and welcomed the Spaniards with gifts and parties. The Aztecs triggered their relationship with the Spaniards by holding a ritual for the arrival of the god which included a human sacrifice. The Spaniards didn’t agree with the rituals and began to despise the Aztecs.
He received intelligence that many tribes feared and resented the ruler Montezuma. Cortes took advantage and made alliances with rival tribes and convinced them to march with him to Tenochtitlan. November 1519, Cortes and his men reached the capital city and were greeted with a procession and gifts from the Emperor. Montezuma believed Cortes to be the return of the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl, who was prophesied to conquer his people and bring about peace. Other historians claim that Montezuma welcomed Cortes to the city from a position of strength and the gifts offered were a demonstration of power.
A possible reason for why the Spanish conquered the Aztecs was the Spanish wanted to spread Christianity. Two sources corroborate that Spain wanted to spread Christianity. According to Document A, it says “There is to be a church and a chaplain entrusted with indoctrinating and teaching them our Holy Catholic faith.” The government was paying for the churches and making sure the culture is spread from town to town. As a result of the churches being established in the Aztec Empire, the Aztecs have to practice the religion and learning the culture of Spain.
While many worldviews exist, The fall of the Aztec empire was unavoidable. The Aztec’s were a group of people who were very religious and lived in Mexico for hundreds of years but one day a group of Spanish people arrived and executed all of the Aztec people. Many of them died from diseases the spanish brought with them like small pox. The others were killed by the spanish and some were taken to spain as slaves. This was led by an explorer named Hernan Cortes.
One of the members of his army killed a group of Aztec nobles. Eventually all the riches that belonged to the Aztecs, now belonged to the spanish. Killing, fighting, and punishing was normal for people to do, to find riches. Kidnapping was also something a lot of people did. Remember Cortez?