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Compare And Contrast The Exploration And Conquest Of The Aztec Empire

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The exploration and conquest of the Aztec Empire in 16th century lead to destruction and devastation at the hands of Cortez and his conquistadors. Hernan Cortez and his conquistadors landed on the Mexican Coast in 1519, their exploration led them to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. During their travel to city, they encountered the Txlancans, a enemy to the Aztecs and made them allies. They will play a important in the siege of Tenichcihlan. With the use of diplomacy Cortex was able to convince the aztec leader Montezuma safe passage into the city with their allies. Upon viewing the mass wealth of the Aztec held such as- Gold,Silver, and Gems, enraged the “gold fever” of the Spaniards. Montezuma saw Cortez and his men as reincarnation of the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl, who was depicted in native mythology as being a white-skinned man. …show more content…
During their stay the Spaniards efficiently extorted good of gold and silver from the Aztecs, at one point cortez was able to persuade Montezuma to stay with them as the spanish guest, essentially becoming a prisoner to his own Gods. Due to this Montezuma's power over his people slowly diminished.In 1520 news of another Spanish Expedition made news to Cortez, the group of conquistadors were sent by the governor of Cuba Diego Velasquez, a rival of cortez, the objective of this group was to arrest Cortez. Upon hearing the news Cortez split his force into two divisions, leaving his lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado in charge of the city. Prior before leaving Montezuma asked Cortez permission to celebrate the Festival of Toxcatl, which had a rite of human

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