Victors and Vanquised

Identify and describe four ways in which the Nahua and Spain accounts of the conquest of Mexico differ . Then chose one explanation that you would argue best explains how the Spanish imposed their rule over the indigenous people of Mexico . Do not focus on motive for conquest such as God Glory and Gold

The conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards is viewed differently by Spanish and Nahua . Both sides held different understanding of what conquest means . For the Spaniards , the conquest was a means to an end , for the Nahua , the conquest

was viewed in relation to its culture and political views . While the Spaniards believed the conquest to become world-changing , the Tlaxcalan looked on it as a way to improve its altepetl 's status . Other Indian tribes viewed the conquest as nothing more than the defeat of a particular tribe . The Spaniards were viewed as another altepetl while the Indians ' lives continued as they were

The Nahuas fought alongside the Spanish troops and were instrumental in the capture and fall of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan . Because of this , the Tlaxcalans , the Nahua tribe who aided the Spaniards , thought of themselves as conquistadors . With the fall of the Aztec Empire Spanish colonization of Mexico began

Spanish colonizers perceived and recounted the conquest in a different manner compared to the Nahua natives . From the Spanish perspective , the conquest was successful because of their own might , discounting the help provided by the Nahuas . The Spaniards understood what the conquest would signify between the two worlds . On the individual level , it was a means to self-glorification and exaggeration of the Spaniards capabilities to overcome gravely difficult situations and strategies in battles

For the Nahua , it was a meeting of equals . The Nahuas believed and took pride in their own altepetls or political structure . Their views of themselves affect their sense of loyalty and identity . For them their own structures were equal or even better compared to everyone elses

Spanish Views

Spain sent men to find new lands and expand the country 's kingdom . Men went on explorations and expeditions not only for the Crown or for the country 's glory . They were willing to risk their lives in the hope of finding self-glorification more than anything else . Based on Spanish traditional writings , exploits of explorers were always exaggerated often turning native inhabitants into fierce warriors and the Spanish forces into knights in shining armors . The Spanish colonizers who came to Mexico were thinking of furthering their career and strengthening their political positions once the nation became part of Spain Hernando Cortes was quick to highlight to the Spanish King how he succeeded in leading his troops to overcome an overwhelming number of Indian warriors

The Spaniards also looked on the Mexican conquest as a world-changing event . They saw cultural , social and political changes that would have to happen to the colony . The economic and religious implications to the Crown were still foremost . With this new land , the Spanish King would have...