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THE CONQUISTADORS: THE FALL OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Slide 2 Hernan Corts- 1485-1547 From Medallion, Spain Family was hidalgo- minor nobility, not rich Studied law 1504- went to Hispaniola to be farmer and lawyer Helped conquer Cuba and became wealthy 1518- Cuban Governor gave him 11 ships, 100 sailors, 508 soldiers, 6 horses and 14 cannons Determined, he marched on Tenochtitln Slide 3 Hernan Corts Sent to settle colonies in mainland Landed in Veracruz Sunk all ships so no one could return Marched to Tenochtitln- 3 months- 200 miles Conquered Mayas Cruel and brutal to Indians Nov. 18, 1519-landed in Valley of Mexico With white beard and in the year Reed 1 end of 52 year cycle Montezuma wondered if he was Quetzalcoatl Sent golden gifts Invited into city Aztecs believed the horse was a magical animal Slide 4 Marina Also known as La Malinche Aztec who was enslaved by the Mayas- tribe was called Tabasco Knew both languages Cortes rescued her at 19 She was in love with him She taught Cortes Aztec culture and the city of Tenochitlan Spy Slide 5 La Noche Triste- 1521 Sad night Spaniards killed priests over human sacrifices Cortes went down to stop chaos and attacked by Aztecs Cortes was in Veracruz fighting off Spanish soldiers for stealing boats Lasted 6 days Spaniards fled with gold into lake and drowned Most of Spaniards were killed Slide 6 Slide 7 Spaniards kidnapped Montezuma- Montezuma stoned to death by Aztecs for siding with the Spaniards (might have been an accident) Streets ran with blood Cortes cried over the destruction 450 Spaniards died, 4000 Indians Cortes fled back to Cuba Aug. 2, 1521- 5 months later Cortes regrouped with more soldiers and allies (native enemies of the Aztecs) Slide 8 Slide 9 Second battle Lasted 75 days Cortes captured and hung the new Aztec Emperor Aztecs were weakened by smallpox Spaniards defeated the Aztecs 200,000 or more natives died Small Pox Slide 10 Results: 1.Became slaves on encomiendas (large farms) 2.Millions of natives were killed by disease 3.Forced into Christianity- no more sacrifices 4.Spaniards had better weapons/armor 5.Mexico became New Spain 6.Cortes conquered Aztecs in 3 years 7.Cortes Governor of New Spain 8.Introduced Chocolate to Spain 9.Mexico extended to Honduras and Guatemala Slide 11