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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
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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
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 Diego Velasquez
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 CitedGoogle.comwww.eirc.org/GlobalCon/ birds.htmlImage of wood thrush from Google images Google.comwww.calacademy.orgImage of Aztec dancer from Google imagesGoogle.comwww.rose-hulman.eduMap of Aztec empire from Google images
Google.comwww.aztec-empire.comImage of Moctezuma from Google images Google.comwww.ancientmexico.comMap of Tenochtitlan from Google imagesGoogle.comwww.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/aztec.htmlInformation on Spanish conquering Aztecs; information on Spanish reasons for explorationGoogle.comhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/discovery/exploration/conquistadors_02.shtmlInformation 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 horseGoogle.comwww.ignatiushistory.info/ 00121.htmlImage of Diego Velasquez