Figure 1.--Here we see a view of the 1521 Battle of Tenochtitlán by an unknown 17th century artist. Notice the causeways and ships involved. The conquest of Mexico and Peru are often viewed as minor historical footnotes. In fact, they had a critical role in the two major European conflicts, the Reformation and the Islamic/Ottoman campaigns against Christian Europe.

After being driven from Teniochititlán on La Noche Triste, Cortes regrouped signed on more native allies and forced others to join him. This enabled him to gain control of Lake Texcoco and to beseige the Aztec capital. Soon with disease running rampant, food and warer short, anbs no possibility of supplies and reenforcement, Cortes with his native allies was ready for the final step assautiung the city. This was the final battle of Cortez and Spanish conquistadores with Aztec warriors. Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, in the 16th century was among the great cities of the world in the 16th century and probably the most beautiful and healthy. Conquistador Hernán Cortés had been driven fron the city on what becane known as La Noche Triste (The Night of Sorrows) (June 30, 1520). Cortez regrouped and developed new tactics with his native allies to persue the battle with the Aztecs. Major battles were fought to get to Tenochtitlán and even more occurred after Noche Triste. Cortez's army was composed primarily of Native American allies. Gradually Cirtez gained control of Lake Texcoco and laid seige to the Aztec capital. Horses and weaponry were important to the Spanish victory, but even more important was the European diseases causing terrible plagues within the beseiged city. Cortez ordered a massive assault on Tenochtitlán. All three divisions of the army attacked on the causeways. They were supported by the brigantines armed with cannon as well as canoes of the native allies. The army fought its way down the causeways.

Noche Triste

The final battle ith the Aztecs would be fought at Tenochititlá, their once inpregnable citadel. It was the final engagement of Cortez and Spanish conquistadores with Aztec warriors. Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, in the 16th century was among the great cities of the world in the 16th century and probably the most beautiful and healthy. Conquistador Hernán Cortés had been driven fron the city on what becane known as La Noche Triste (The Night of Sorrows) (June 30, 1520). A year later he had returned, stronger thhan ver and the Aztecs considerably weakened.

Seige

Cortez regrouped and developed new tactics with his native allies to persue the battle with the Aztecs. Major battles were fought to get to Tenochtitlán and even more occurred after Noche Triste. Cortez's army was composed primarily of Native American allies. Gradually Cirtez gained control of Lake Texcoco and laid seige to the Aztec capital. Horses and weaponry were important to the Spanish victory, but even more important was the European diseases causing terrible plagues within the beseiged city.

Preliminary Engagement

The final battle of Battle of Tenochtitlán was the decisive battle of the conflict between the Spanish and Aztecs. It marked the beginning of the Spanish conquest of Mexico and ultimtely much of South America. Before encountering the Aztecs, the Spanish had only encountered small, largely primitice natives in the Caribbean. It is commonly described as one of the largest victories ever won by a small force. But this is a misunderstanding. Cortez actually had a major force when his native allies who hated the Aztecs are counted. Cortez seized unimagined riches, something they had not found in the Caribbean. Cortez preparing for the assault on the city destroyed the aqueducts that supplied water to the city. The aqueducts were located outside the city and thus the Aztecs could not prevent this critical action. Cortes' army was divided into three divisions. Two of the divisions attacked on the causeways but met effective Aztec resistance. Cortez with the third division attacked aboard the brigantines destroyed large numbers of the Aztec canoes, gaining control of the Lake. Cortes continued the assault for 3 months. The Spanish and native army was joined by 50,000 Texcocoans and later 150,000 Aztecs. The attacks achieved some gains, but each time were pushed back. Conditions within Tenochtitlan for the Aztecs were dreadful. Smallbox raged. Fresh water was scarce because the aqueducts had been cut and the defenders were starving.

The Combined Assault

Cortez preparing for the assault on the city destroyed the aqueducts that supplied water to the city. The aqueducts were located outside the city and thus the Aztecs could not prevent this critical action. Cortes' army was divided into three divisions. Two of the divisions attacked on the causeways but met effective Aztec resistance. Cortez with the third division attacked aboard the brigantines destroyed large numbers of the Aztec canoes, gaining control of the Lake. Cortes continued the assault for 3 months. The Spanish and native army was joined by 50,000 Texcocoans and later 150,000 Aztecs. The attacks achieved some gains, but each time were pushed back. Conditions within Tenochtitlan for the Aztecs were dreadful. Smallbox raged. Fresh water was scarce because the aqueducts had been cut and the defenders were starving. Cortes became increasingly concerned with the Aztec's ability to continue to hold out.

Fighting Within Tenochtitlan

Cortez ordered a massive assault on Tenochtitlán. All three divisions of the army attacked on the causeways. They were supported by the brigantines armed with cannon as well as canoes of the native allies. The army fought its way down the causeways. Once in the city, boulevards converged on Tlatelolco Square. The Aztecs resisted, but the huge Spanish and native army pressed steadily forward. Finally Cuahtemoc ordered the retreat to be sounded. Cortez's captains rushed forwrd. It was a trap carefully layed by Cuahtemoc who then sounded the horn again. The Atecs managed to capture 62 Spaniards, a substantial portionnof the Spanish force. They were then dragged to the temple and sacrificed within the vision and hearing of their comrades. Cortes ordered his army back. There was a lull in the fighting for 5 days. Cortes understanding the conditions within the city and appealed to Cuahtemoc that surrender was the only alternative. Cuahtemoc was not prepared to surender, preferring death to slavery. Instead he ordered his army to attack, but were repelled by cannon and musket fire. Cortes then attacked and forced the aztecs back to a small portion of the city.' They destroyed buildings as they pressed the attack, often killing the occupants when the buildings were destroyed or burned. Cortes proposed a banquet near where negotiations could be held. Cuahtemoc sent agreed, but sent nobles to represent him. The following mining, Cuahtemoc agreed to meet Cortes at the marketplace. When Cortez arrived, he found the Aztec army assembled. A massive battle occurred with losses on both sides. The number killed repeatedly exceeded 40,000. [Prescott, p. 127.]

Final Battle

the final battle came the the next morning (August 13, 1521). Cortes once more mounted attacks ion the causeways. It was another major fight. Cortes ordered a cease-fire as three Aztec canoes were seen abandoning the besiueged city, attemopting to cross the lakke. Cuahtemoc was on one of the canoes. He was quickly caught brought bound to Cortes. He is reoported to have told Cortes, "Lord Malinche, I have assuredly done my duty in the defense of my city and my vassals, and I can do no more. I am brought by force as a prisoner into your presence and beneath your power. Take the dagger that you have in your belt, and strike me dead immediately." [Diaz, p. 403.] Cortes was impressed with his eneny's bravery and dignity and pardoned Cuahtemoc. What Cortes was unaware of was that Cuahtemoc was, as a prisoner of war, demanding to be sacrificed as the the Aztec god's demanded. Cuahtemoc would survive the battle and was dishonored by his survival.

Gold Booty

Cortes and his army had expected to find vast amounts of treasure hoarded in the city. They were disappointed by what they found. Apparently they had alredy sized most of the Aztec gold while they had been in the city earlier. They were hugely disapointed. Mexico is not a country rich in gold. And much of what they had seized was lost on La Noche Triste. Virtually all of what they seized was melted down. Only a few small Aztec objects have survived.

Impact

The Conquistadores and the Catholic Church proceded to systematically destroy indigenous culture. The Encomienda System launced in the Caribbean was extended to the American mainland. But the conquest of Mexico had far more importance than the future of Mexico. It would have a major impact on Europe.

Created: 2:57 PM 10/4/2018
Last updated: 2:57 PM 10/4/2018