what about the aztec capital tenochtitlán surprised cortés? course hero

by Cordelia Jacobson Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 4 min read

How does Hernán Cortés describe the Aztec city Tenochtitlan?

The city is as large as Seville or Cordova; its streets, I speak of the principal ones, are very wide and straight; some of these, and all the inferior ones, are half land and half water, and are navigated by canoes.

What happened with the Aztecs Moctezuma Tenochtitlan and Cortés?

On 13 August 1521, Cuauhtemoc was captured and the Aztecs admitted defeat. Tenochtitlan, Cortés's great prize, and its inhabitants were decimated. Cortés had conquered the Aztecs, but at the expense of the beautiful city he hoped to secure.Mar 26, 2019

What was unusual about the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan?

What was unusual about Tenochtitlan is that it was built in the middle of a lake in a swampy and generally inhospitable area.

How did Cortés react to the city of Tenochtitlan?

The siege of Tenochtitlán

When Cortés heard of this, he took a garrison of Spanish and Tlaxcalan soldiers and marched on the Spanish. Cortés defeated the Spanish force, but when he returned to Tenochtitlán he was met with a shock. The Aztecs were in the midst of a full rebellion. Cortés and his men fled the city.Sep 28, 2017

Why did Montezuma welcome Cortés to the Aztec capital?

Montezuma's decision to welcome Cortés into his city reflected his strength and intelligence, not his weakness. Years of reports of Spaniards along the coastline suggested they were in the Americas to stay. Even defeating Cortés outright would only delay the inevitable negotiations that must be made with the newcomers.

When Cortés first entered the city of Tenochtitlan in 1519 what happened to Moctezuma II the ruler?

Montezuma was killed in the fighting–in Aztec reports by the Spaniards, and in Spanish reports by an Aztec mob bitter at Montezuma's subservience to Spanish rule. He was succeeded as emperor by his brother, Cuitláhuac.

Why was Tenochtitlan the capital of the Aztec empire?

Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, was founded by the Aztec or Mexica people around 1325 C.E. According to legend, the Mexica founded Tenochtitlan after leaving their homeland of Aztlan at the direction of their god, Huitzilopochtli.Aug 10, 2020

What is the importance of Tenochtitlan?

This was important because it gave city several advantages and allowed it to become on the the largest cities in the world at the time. The location for Tenochtitlan proved excellent as the waterways of the lake allowed the Aztec to easily travel and trade with other societies in the region.Aug 15, 2018

What happened Tenochtitlan?

Cortés's army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city. Cortés's victory destroyed the Aztec empire, and the Spanish began to consolidate control over what became the colony of New Spain.

Why did Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs?

The conquest of Mexico began with an expedition to search for gold on the American mainland. In 1519 Cortés led about 450 men to Mexico and made his way from Veracruz on the Gulf Coast to the island city of Tenochtitlan, the stunningly beautiful Aztec capital situated in Lake Texcoco.

What did Cortés do after he returned to Tenochtitlan?

After fending off the Spanish forces, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán to find a rebellion in progress, during which Montezuma was killed. The Aztecs eventually drove the Spanish from the city, but Cortés returned again to defeat them and take the city in 1521, effectively ending the Aztec empire.Apr 2, 2014

What did Hernán Cortés discover?

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (c. 1485-1547) is best known for conquering the Aztecs and claiming Mexico on behalf of Spain.Aug 23, 2021