Travelers of the Past:

The Defeat of the Aztec Empire

• 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

Desire to Travel

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

• 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

Things change with Moctezuma

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.comwww.eirc.org/GlobalCon/ birds.htmlImage of wood thrush from Google images

Google.comwww.calacademy.orgImage of Aztec dancer from Google images Google.comwww.rose-hulman.edu

Map of Aztec empire from Google images

Google.comwww.aztec-empire.comImage of Moctezuma from Google images

Google.comwww.ancientmexico.comMap of Tenochtitlan from Google images

Google.comwww.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/aztec.htmlInformation on Spanish conquering Aztecs; information on Spanish reasons for exploration

Google.comhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/discovery/exploration/conquistadors_02.shtml

Information on long-term effects of Spanish exploration

Google.comhome.earthlink.netImage of boat from Google images

Google.comwww.rose-hulman.eduImage of Cortes from Google images

Google.comwww.calgoldcoin.com/ mexico.htmImage of Aztec gold

Google.comwww.mrsedivy.com/explor2.htmlImage of Cortes and infantry

Google.comwww.d23.org/sullivan/travis/ Explorer%20Book/cortes.htmImage of Cortes in battle on horse

Google.comwww.ignatiushistory.info/ 00121.htmlImage of Diego Velasquez