Mesoamerica and Spain: The Conquest Compiled by Brad R Huber

1. Mesoamerica and Spain: The Conquest Compiled by Brad R Huber Special Thanks to Carmack, Gasco, and Gossen’s The Legacy of Mesoamerica (2nd edition)

2. The Origins of Spanish Imperialism • the Christian Reconquest or RECONQUISTA of Spain from the Moors. • The Moors were Muslims of North African descent • Conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula between A.D. 711 and 718. • For the Christians, the conflict with the Moors was a holy war. • Religious and military zeal went hand-in-hand • In 1469, Isabella married 17 year old Ferdinand, heirs of the thrones of Castile and Aragón, respectively. • They emerged as powerful rulers of a united Spain, • and limited the influence of both their own nobles and the Pope.

3. The Conquest of the Aztecs

4. Chronology • Spaniards Conquer Cuba • 1517—Spaniards begin to explore Mexico • February 10, 1519-- Hernán • Cortés defies Governor Diego Velasquez • June 3, 1519--Spaniards arrive at Cempoala with 11 ships, 600 soldiers, 200 native servants, 16 horses, 32 crossbows, 13 muskets, and 14 cannons • Cortés’ translator, Gerónimo de Aguilar spoke Mayan.

5. Cortés finds a Translator and Mistress • Doña Marina is also known as La Malinche or Malintzin. • Dona Marina spoke Mayan and Nahuatl. • She became Cortés’ translator and mistress

7. Tlazcala and theCholula Massacre • September 2-20, 1519—the Spaniards fight with the Tlaxcalans and win Tlaxcalan allies • October 1519—Massacre at Cholula

8. Cortés and Moctezuma • November 8, 1519 – Cortés enters Tenochtitlan • Does Moctezuma believe he’s Quetzacoatl? • Panfilo de Navaez Arrives– May 1520 • Cortés leaves for coast • Pedro de Alvarado in Charge

9. Moctezuma Killed • Pedro de Alvarado attacks Mexica during festival • June 1520 – Moctezuma killed • Moctezuma replaced by Cuauhtemoc

10. La Noche Triste • Cortés Returns • Spaniards forced to flee • La Noche Triste – June 30, 1520 • Cortés loses 2/3 of his men and many horses

11. Cortés takes Tenochtitlan • July 1520—Spaniards reach Tlaxcala and are welcomed • July 1520-May: 1521 Cortés regroups with Tlaxcala help—builds brigantines • Cortés had a force of over 700 Spaniards and an estimated 75,000 Tlaxcalans as well as 86 horses and 15 cannons. • Old World infectious disease struck in the meantime. • The new ruler, Cuitlahuac, died. • May 1521—Spaniards lay siege to Tenochtitlan • 20) On August 13, 1521, Cuauhtémoc was taken prisoner. • 21) 100,000 or more Mexica had died during the siege and subsequent massacre.

12. The Conquest of Michoacán (West Mexico) • Area of powerful Tarascan or Purépecha state. • Before Spaniards contacted Tarascans, smallpox epidemic hit killing the Tarascan ruler or Cazonci named Zuangua. • In 1525, the Cazonci converted to Christianity, formally accepted Spanish domination, and requested that Friars be sent to Michoacán. • In 1529-30, Guzmán took the Cazonci prisoner, put him on trial for interfering with the encomienda system and he was killed.

13. The Conquest of The Maya Area • No single group dominated the Maya territories. • Regions were subjugated one by one. • Spanish Invasion of Guatemala • was preceded by a smallpox epidemic in 1520. • In 1523, Cortés commissioned Pedro de Alvarado to lead a group of 400+ Spaniards and 100s of Tlaxcalan warriors south to Guatemala. • The power of the Quiché Maya was waning and they had many enemies including the Cakchiquel. • One by one the Maya groups of the Guatemalan highlands fell to Spanish invaders.

14. Chiapas was subjugated in a 1527-28 campaign • Ciudad Real (today San Cristóbal de Las Casas) was established around 1535. • The Yucatan Peninsula • was not brought under Spanish control until 1547 by Montejo the Younger. • Uprisings occurred from 1545-47, and • Many Indians fled south to the Péten. • They would successfully resist Spanish domination for another 150 years.