Mesoamerica, the Aztecs, and the Spanish Conquest

Mesoamerica• A civilization because

it meets the definition.• Organized into city

states• Most cultures split

between the Nahuatl and the Mayan speaking peoples

• Agriculture based on corn and beans agriculture.

Teotihuacan• Population of

150,000-200,000• Pyramid of the

Sun is the 3rd largest pyramid in the world.

• Reached its height from 100-900 C.E.

Tenochtitlan• Capital city of the

Aztecs• Built in the middle

of a lake

Aztec Empire (1400-1521)

• When the Spanish arrive, the empire is only a century old.

• The Aztecs speak Nahuatl and came from the north of Mexico.

The Arrival of the Spanish• Hernando Cortez lands in

1519 with– 10 ships– 700 Soldiers– 16 Horses and 10 light cannon

• It would only take him 2 years to conquer the Aztec nation.

• Conquistadors – God, Gold, and Glory

Aztec Disadvantages• Enemies made by ruling

over tribute peoples• Disease, especially

smallpox, will devastate the native populations.

• The natives believe at first that Cortez is the God Quetzalcoatl

• Have never seen guns or horses before.

Conquest Completed

• Tens of thousands of natives die from disease, malnutrition, and being overworked.

• Spanish enslaved the natives using the Encomienda system.

Conversion to Christianity

• In 1531, few are Nahuatl people are converting to Christianity.

• Juan Diego is a prince who has a vision of the Virgin Mary.

• She speaks to him in his native tongue and appears to be Nahuatl

Syncretism• Syncretism- the melding of

beliefs from one system into another.

• In many ways the image that appears on the Tilma of Juan Diego is similar to native gods.

• Thousands of Nahuatl convert to Catholicism, but keep many practices and beliefs from the old religion.