The Conquest

“Uic athan”

Contrasting views and confusion

Moctezuma II

Was he fooled into believing Cortez and the Spaniards were gods?

• It is said that when conquistadors asked Mayans what they called the land, the Indians replied “uic athan” The Spaniards then said the land was called Yucatan.

• Uic athan means: what are you saying…we do not understand you?

• Much of the interaction between The Spanish invaders and the peoples of Mexico were of a similar nature--based on misunderstanding and misinterpretations.

• The major issue facing the Europeans was trying to figure out who these people were that were not mentioned in the Bible.

Sources of knowledge about the conquest:

• Writings of Bernal Diaz

• Writings by Priests in the wake of conquest

• Post-conquest Codices commissioned by Priests written in Nahuatl

• Post-conquest stories translated from Nahualtl

• Archaeology

1519-1521

• Cortez arrives off Veracruz

• Moctezuma II warned of the arrival– Magicians had warned of “bad omens” as early

as ten years before.

• Moctezuma II possibly believes Cortez to be a human manifestation of Quetzacoaltl

• Spaniards gather allies during march toward Tenochitlan

War God

• Moctezuma II accommodates and welcomes Cortez and his men. Does not suspect that their goal is to conquer. Houses them in a new palace.

• Aztec army is strong, and number several thousands.

• Many nobles in the court of Moctezuma II believed Cortez and his men were a danger.

Recent excavations in Mexico city reveal Aztec defenders buried beneath temple. Wounds consistent with swords.

Aztec tales

• Post conquest accounts in Nahualtl describe the court of Moctezuma II as divided on the issue of the Spanish. Some wanted Cortez killed outright while Moctezuma was unsure and believed he may be divine.

Scholarly Controversy

• Critics argue that it is a common pattern historically for European explorers to claim native peoples thought they were Gods.

• The theme is used to underscore the “primitiveness” of the indigenous people and the superiority of the European

• Cortez vs Aztec conflict fits the mold.

Deconstruct...

• In the case of the Aztecs, native accounts reveal a level of confusion among leaders and Aztec cosmology challenged.

• Reluctance on part of Moctezuma II to deal decisively with the Spaniards is what allowed conquest to proceed.

• Sickness affected Aztec more than war.