Source Analysis and the Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs - Coursework Example

Source Analysis and the Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs. Even though the Spaniards were few, in terms of numbers, they were able to conquer both Aztecs and Incas. In this case, analyzing both source 1a and 1b would help to illustrate the major reason for the fall of especially Aztecs, on the attack by Spaniards. Source 1a asserts that the major cause was that the Spaniards recruited other tribes to help in increasing their number against Aztecs. These tribes were easily lured because they wanted to the free from their rule and follow that of the Spaniards. For source 1b, also focusing on the power of the few Spaniards, base their argument on the growth of Spanish upon the fall of the two Incas and Aztecs. The Spanish grew richer enabling them to mobilize resources required to fully conquer their enemies. According to these sources, a clear explanations comes out that can help in providing the basis for the Spanish conquering the Aztecs. With general knowledge, given they were few, the Spanish lured other weak tribes to follow them thereby strengthening their force. This gave them advantage and enough resources that they could use to attack the Aztecs. As depicted in source 2, Malinche’s participation was instrumental for Cortes Spanish in defeating the Aztecs. She played a significant role in facilitating the conquest of Spanish on the Mexico, through conspiring against her tribe. In Aztecs, she was referred to as a betrayer. Her knowledge of Aztec language and Mayan helped the Spanish in gaining understanding of the knowledge. She became an exclusive interpreter of the Aztec language, after learning the Spanish language. The source shows that this case was pivotal in the defeat of Aztec because it allowed the Spanish to well acquaint with the tribes way of life. In general knowledge, Malinche was pivotal not only in terms of language knowledge but also as a spy. Given that the Spanish had established a strong bondage with Malinche they use her to spy on the plot of Aztec against them. This enabled the Spanish to protect themselves well against the Spanish plot. The source comes out clear especially by the use of the object at the bottom of the page. The picture portrays Malinche surrounded and being embraced by the Spanish. In which case, the picture illustrates the significant role played by Malinche in helping the Spanish. This indicates the much comfort granted to Malinche allowing them to extract much help from her. Source 3 also gives out an overview of the defeat of the Aztecs and the accompanying destruction of the Tenoctitian. In which case, the main tactic used by the Spanish was to lure some of Aztec allies in order to strengthen their army. The allies were ready to break their bond with Aztec because of the bad image portrayed by Aztec by their practice of sacrificing humans (Dennett & Howitt, 2014, 67). The Aztecs killed thousands of people thereby making the surrounding people to hate their culture. This acted as a chance for the Spanish to cite the retrogressive culture to the Aztec allies and made them feel that they would be in good position if they entered an agreement with them. After most of their people had been sacrificed, the allies were willing to join the Spaniards in fighting the Aztecs. The source cites manipulation and strategy used by the Spaniards in defeating the Aztecs. It quotes unlike the Aztecs who did not succeed in unifying their empire; the Spanish focused much of their attention in unity and managed to build a strong army. Some example of the tribes who had resented the rule ofAztec are well articulated in the article. Totonacs and Tlaxcalans are some of the notable tribes cited in the source. The Spanish earned allegiance of these tribes after defeating them in battle. Another reason for defeat of Aztecs can also be cited on: i) Geography and ii) difference in military style. Despite having superior weapons and tactics, source 4 asserts that the Spanish were able to manipulate the state of things, making them to conquer the Aztec. The source quotes, “As a master of observation, manipulation and strategy, he was able to gradually weave an army of indigenous resistance against the Aztecs, while professing his good intentions toward Moctezuma” (Dennett & Howitt, 2014, 67). It comes out clearly about the manner in which the Aztecs was conquered. The difference in military style comes out in the way the two locking sides organized their armies. On arriving in Mexico, the Spanish made efforts to unify their army plus the Aztec allies they had assimilated. Unlike the Aztecs who did not succeed in unifying their empire, the Spanish focused much of their attention in unity and managed to build a strong army. Through assimilation, the Spanish were able to build a strong and integrated team having a common aim of doing away with the retrogressive culture of the Aztecs. Further, the design of the city also betrayed the Aztec to a fall. Source 5 also supports the effect of difference military style. It quotes that the Spanish created a strong base of allies who supported them in the fight. In Aztecs’ case, most of their allies had resented their rule because of the way they were administering their culture. The defeat of the Aztec can also be contributed to the onset of Americas- European diseases as stated in source 6. Most notable of these diseases is smallpox, brought in by a Spanish slave. From this, the disease spread out in the city of Tenochtitlan leading to death of larger fraction of the population. Even though the Spanish were also victims of the disease, their immunity to the disease was relatively higher; thereafter, many of them survived against the dwindling population of the Aztec. In essence, the smallpox decimated the population the thereby triggering dire consequences on the strength of the tribe of the Aztec. This was decisive on the fall of Battle of Tenochtitlan during the attack. This gave power to the Spanish be potential conquerors of the Aztecs. Bibliography Dennett, B., & Howitt, B. 2014. Oxford insight history 8: Australian curriculum for NSW. Read More