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9. The Aztecs - A Clash of Worlds (Part 2 of 2)

Fall of Civilizations・86 minutes read

Moctezuma II was a powerful ruler, while Hernando Cortés was ambitious and disruptive, leading to the clash that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire. Despite his conquests, Cortés never found the glory he sought, ultimately dying in loneliness and obscurity.

Insights

  • Moctezuma II and Hernando Cortés possessed contrasting personalities and backgrounds, with the former being an eloquent Aztec king and the latter an ambitious, disruptive conquistador.
  • Cortés' journey to the New World was marked by determination and ambition, leading to his involvement in expeditions exploring the Americas despite initial setbacks and lack of support.
  • The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Cortés was facilitated by alliances with indigenous groups like the Tlaxcalans, strategic military maneuvers, and the pivotal role of translators like Malinzen.
  • Cortés' conquest of Tenochtitlan resulted in the destruction of the Aztec culture, the conversion of the population to Christianity, and the establishment of European-style buildings, despite his ultimate demise in loneliness and obscurity.

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  • Who was Moctezuma II?

    Aztec king described as eloquent and powerful.

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Summary

00:00

"Moctezuma II and Cortés: Clash of Civilizations"

  • Moctezuma II, the Aztec king, was crowned in 1502, described as eloquent, diplomatic, and powerful, overseeing sacrifices and wearing a headdress of quetzal feathers.
  • Hernando Cortés, a sickly Spanish boy, grew up to be irritable and disruptive, known for his ambition and arrogance, deciding to travel to the New World.
  • Cortés, a hidalgo, chose to sail to the Americas in 1504, leaving from Valencia at the age of 19, enduring a challenging voyage with poor conditions.
  • Columbus, despite not recognizing his discovery as a new continent, enslaved and brutalized indigenous people in Hispaniola, leading to the importation of African slaves.
  • Cortés, after legal training and settling in Cuba, joined an expedition to conquer the island, displaying cruelty and violence in the process.
  • Velázquez, impressed by Cortés' skills, appointed him as his private secretary and municipal judge, granting him wealth and power.
  • Cortés, unsatisfied with his wealth, began to seek new opportunities, leading to his involvement in further expeditions exploring the mainland of the Americas.
  • Cordoaba and Grijalva led expeditions to Mexico, encountering Mayans and impressive cities, with Grijalva's return leading to Cortés being chosen to lead a search and rescue mission.
  • Despite lacking military experience, Cortés successfully gathered 300 men and prepared ships for the mission, only for Grijalva to return, causing Velázquez to withdraw support.
  • Cortés, driven by ambition and a restless spirit, continued to seek glory and new discoveries, hinting at his future role in the clash of civilizations in the New World.

18:53

Cortés defies ruler, embarks on epic journey.

  • Cortés decided to proceed with his mission against the ruler's wishes, setting sail to discover the truth about the king on the other side of the sea.
  • Governor Velázquez, who was to provide food supplies, was bypassed as Cortés ordered an immediate departure from Santiago on November 18, 1518.
  • Despite food shortages due to Velázquez's orders to withhold supplies, Cortés and his men managed to gather provisions through bartering, increasing their group to 630 men and 11 ships.
  • The expedition included 13 horses, cannons, mastiffs, crossbowmen, and muskets, preparing for the journey across the sea.
  • Cortés' letters to King Charles V of Spain, known as the Carta of Cortes, provide a detailed account of the invasion, although they are viewed with caution due to potential bias.
  • Memoirs from soldiers who followed Cortés, like Francisco de Aguilar and Bernal Díaz del Castillo, offer epic tales of the campaign, albeit with some embellishments.
  • The Florentine manuscript, Book XII, compiled by Spanish priest Sahagún, recounts the conquest from the perspective of the surviving people of Mexico.
  • The arrival of Cortés' expedition caused concern among the Aztec king Moctezuma, who received reports of strange occurrences and encounters with foreigners.
  • Moctezuma ordered a guard to watch for the return of strangers in large ships, showing caution and seeking more information before acting.
  • Cortés and his ships sailed from Cuba to Mexico at a speed of 4 knots, eventually encountering Jerónimo de Aguilar, a Spanish man who had been shipwrecked and held captive by the Mayans for eight years.

37:41

"Escape, Translation, Conquest: Aguilar's Journey"

  • Aguilar spent nearly 3,000 days in captivity, keeping track of the days to escape.
  • Aguilar miscalculated the day of the week by three days after eight years.
  • Aguilar became a translator for Curtis, who saw his value.
  • Cortés and his men stopped at Pontucán for water, leading to a battle with the locals.
  • 400 Mayans were killed, and their leader surrendered, giving gold and enslaved women.
  • Malinzen, a key figure, was enslaved and spoke multiple languages.
  • Malinzen, Aguilar, and Curtis formed a translation team crucial for communication.
  • Malinzen's role was pivotal in the success of Cortés' plans.
  • Cortés founded Vera Cruz, a city, to legitimize his mission.
  • Cortés decided to march to Tenochtitlan and conquer the Aztec Empire.

55:41

Cortés Allies with Tlaxcalans against Aztecs

  • The Tlaxcalans have long despised the Aztecs due to past sieges and killings.
  • Cortés, aware of Moctezuma's formidable army, knew he needed allies.
  • Cortés saw an opportunity in the Tlaxcalans' hatred of the Mexica.
  • Cortés set out for Tenochtitlan on August 8, 1519, leaving half his party in Vera Cruz.
  • The journey to the Valley of Mexico covered about 400 kilometers.
  • Cortés and his men faced harsh terrain, scarce water, and dwindling food supplies.
  • The Tlaxcalans initially resisted Cortés, leading to a fierce battle.
  • Despite initial resistance, the Tlaxcalans eventually sought peace with Cortés.
  • Cortés' victory over the Tlaxcalans sent ripples through the Aztec world.
  • Cortés and his men were welcomed in Tlaxcala, where they rested after their journey.

01:12:51

"Spaniards Conquer Aztec Empire Through Deception"

  • Spaniards delivered religious sermons everywhere they stopped, leading to the king asking his spies to stop repeating the same speech.
  • Thousands of indigenous Tlaxcalan warriors followed the Spaniards, along with various other groups equipped for war.
  • Moctezuma sent a servant dressed as a king with gold to meet Cortés in the mountain passes.
  • The Spaniards were not fooled by the disguised servant and demanded to meet Moctezuma.
  • The Spaniards marched through mountain passes with indigenous allies, causing panic in Moctezuma's court.
  • Moctezuma's magicians' spells failed to deter the Spaniards, and visions of the Aztec empire in flames added to the fear.
  • Cortés and his men were awestruck by the sight of Tenochtitlan as they approached.
  • Moctezuma met Cortés on a bridge, fearing the Spaniards' iron weapons and armor.
  • Cortés and his men stayed in Tenochtitlan, visiting markets and temples, and questioning Moctezuma about gold.
  • Cortés used the death of his men as an excuse to confront Moctezuma, leading to the emperor's imprisonment and the burning of Aztec lords.

01:32:01

Cortés Defeats Narváez, Moctezuma's Tragic End

  • Moctezuma sent letters to Narváez with routes to Tenocticlan, offering food and gold.
  • Moctezuma warned Cortés about Narváez's threat, urging him to leave Tenochtitclan.
  • Cortés planned to confront Narváez 400 kilometers away, leaving men to guard Moctezuma.
  • Cortés marched with 80 men, leaving some in Tenochtitclan, wearing Aztec cotton armor.
  • Cortés requested 4,000 Tlascalans for help, but they sent turkeys instead.
  • Cortés surprised Narváez's camp, outnumbered but skilled in Mexican warfare.
  • Cortés defeated Narváez, convincing his mercenaries to join him with promises of gold.
  • Alvarado faced rebellion in Tenochtitlan during the Toxcatl Festival, leading to a massacre.
  • The Mexica revolted against the Spaniards, forcing them to retreat to the palace.
  • Moctezuma's attempt to calm the crowd failed, leading to his death and burning by the Spaniards.

01:49:50

Fall of Tenoctitclan: Cortes' Defeat and Return

  • The fire broke out, and Moctezuma's body sizzled and emitted a foul odor as it burned.
  • Cortes realized they had to leave the city as he lost power without Moctezuma.
  • The people of Tenoctitclan learned to fight the Spanish using the city's geography.
  • Cortes planned to leave the city under cover of darkness, but the Mexicans were prepared.
  • The Mexicans attacked the Spaniards with rocks and stones, causing many injuries.
  • Cortes and his men packed gold, muffled their horses' hooves, and attempted to leave.
  • The Mexicans trapped the Spanish by raising drawbridges, leading to a chaotic battle.
  • The Spanish lost almost all their gold as they fled, facing defeat and fear.
  • Around 600 Spaniards were killed, but Cortes resolved to retake Tenoctitclan.
  • Cortes returned with a large army, including indigenous allies, cavalry, infantry, and cannons, to besiege Tenoctitclan.

02:08:11

Fall of Aztec Empire: Conquest, Destruction, Legacy

  • Coatemotzin was taken in a boat, followed by Cuautemotzin, who was mourned by the people.
  • The year and day of the destruction were specified as three houses and one serpent.
  • Cuautemotzin surrendered and was taken to Akachinankua in the dark.
  • Aztec warriors lamented their loss with broken spears and grief.
  • The city was described as roofless, blood-stained, and infested with worms.
  • The water turned red, symbolizing the loss and despair of the Aztecs.
  • The Spanish captured Cuautemuzin, tortured him for gold, and destroyed the city.
  • Cortés enslaved the surviving population, demolished structures, and built European-style buildings.
  • The Spanish eradicated Aztec culture, burned books, and converted the population to Christianity.
  • Cortés, despite his conquests, died in loneliness and obscurity, never finding the glory he sought.

02:26:45

Preserving endangered languages through Wikitongues project.

  • Yan is a contributor to Wikitongues, a project dedicated to preserving endangered languages worldwide by creating a database for each language, such as Nahuatl. Wikitongues is a non-profit organization sustained by donations, accessible at wikitongues.org/donate or patreon.com/wikitongues, with support from Patreon subscribers enabling the podcast to continue ad-free and allowing for more time to research, write, record, and edit episodes.
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