How did the Spanish take over Mexico?

Cortés razed Tenochtitlan, building his own capital over its ruins, and proclaimed the Aztec Empire to be New Spain. Soon after the Spanish colonization of Cuba in 1519, a small army led by Hernán Cortés (1485-1547) conquered Mexico from the Aztecs. Cortés first attacked and then made allies of towns.

Why did Spain claim Mexico?

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador, or conqueror, best remembered for conquering the Aztec empire in 1521 and claiming Mexico for Spain. “He was a smart, ambitious man who wanted to appropriate new land for the Spanish crown, convert native inhabitants to Catholicism, and plunder the lands for gold and riches.”

What atrocities did the Spanish commit?

“The Spaniards with their horses, their spears and lances, began to commit murders and other strange cruelties. They entered into towns and villages, sparing neither children nor old men and women. They ripped their bellies and cut them to pieces as if they had been slaughtering lambs in a field.

What did the Aztecs call the Spanish?

And they called the Spanish language ‘the tongue of the coyotes’ or perhaps better ‘coyote-speak’ (coyoltlahtolli). Apparently the Totonac people referred to the Spanish invaders as ‘snakes’.

How was Spain relationship with the natives?

The Spanish attitude toward the Indians was that they saw themselves as guardians of the Indians basic rights. The Spanish goal was for the peaceful submission of the Indians. The laws of Spain controlled the conduct of soldiers during wars, even when the tribes were hostile.

Who is black legend?

Black Legend, Spanish Leyenda Negra, term indicating an unfavourable image of Spain and Spaniards, accusing them of cruelty and intolerance, formerly prevalent in the works of many non-Spanish, and especially Protestant, historians.

Where is Cortés buried?

Parroquia de Jesús Nazareno e Inmaculada Concepción, Mexico City, Mexico
Hernán Cortés/Place of burial

Who did the Aztecs mistake for Cortés?

Although Montezuma II did not trust Cortés, he also was worried that Cortés was the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. Aztec mythology said that Quetzalcoatl would come to Earth as a man and Cortés had arrived on Quetzalcoatl’s birthday. Cortés arrived with around 500 men, 16 horses, and some cannon.