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Travelers of the Past: The Defeat of the Aztec Empire Desire to Travel • Spain and Portugal knew about India and China long before they knew of the Americas • They wanted to travel for three reasons: – the desire for wealth and glory – to tame the “savages” of other lands – the bring new knowledge back to their native countries Diego Velasquez • Spanish governor of Cuba • Cuba needed help: not enough resources or slave labor • Velasquez sent people into Mesoamerica to explore resources • Cuba heard of great riches somewhere in Mesoamerica Hernan Cortes • Left Spain at age 19 • Sent by Velasquez to explore the Yucatan and find the wealth • Set sail in 1519 • Cubans served as infantry under Cortes • Once there, renounced the authority of Velasquez and founded own city • Cortes decided to conquer Mexico in its entirety Journey to Tenochtitlan • Cortes found natives who were hostile to the Aztecs • They joined forces • Residents of Tenochtitlan believed him to be the white-skinned god Quetzalcoatlin • Aztec emperor Moctezuma welcomed him warmly and showered him with gifts Things change with Moctezuma • Good relationship with Moctezuma did not last long • Cortes captured and jailed the Aztec emperor • Spanish troops massacred Aztecs during a religious ceremony • The Aztecs revolted Defeat • Cortes and his troops were pushed back for a period of time • They returned to Tenochtitlan in 1521 • Spanish troops set up a blockade to deny food and water to the Aztecs • Smallpox had also weakened the Aztecs • Cortes defeated the natives and destroyed the city Effects of Travel • Spanish brought potato, pineapple, turkey, dahlias, sunflowers, magnolias, maize, chilies, and chocolate • They also brought smallpox, measles, and other diseases • African slave trade started by Europeans • Europeans brought Christianity Comprehension Page • Name one reason the Spanish and Portuguese wanted to travel. • Why did the Cuban governor send Cortes to the Yucatan peninsula? • What did Cortes do once he arrived in present-day Mexico? • Why did Moctezuma greet Cortes warmly? • How did Cortes finally defeat the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan? • Name two effects of Cortes’ travels and conquests in Mexico. Works Cited Google.com www.eirc.org/GlobalCon/ birds.html Image of wood thrush from Google images Google.com www.calacademy.org Image of Aztec dancer from Google images Google.com www.rose-hulman.edu Map of Aztec empire from Google images Google.com www.aztec-empire.com Image of Moctezuma from Google images Google.com www.ancientmexico.com Map of Tenochtitlan from Google images Google.com www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/aztec.html Information on Spanish conquering Aztecs; information on Spanish reasons for exploration Google.com http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/discovery/exploration/conquista dors_02.shtml Information on long-term effects of Spanish exploration Google.com home.earthlink.net Image of boat from Google images Google.com www.rose-hulman.edu Image of Cortes from Google images Google.com www.calgoldcoin.com/ mexico.htm Image of Aztec gold Google.com www.mrsedivy.com/explor2.html Image of Cortes and infantry Google.com www.d23.org/sullivan/travis/ Explorer%20Book/cortes.htm Image of Cortes in battle on horse Google.com www.ignatiushistory.info/ 00121.html Image of Diego Velasquez