indigenous-alliances

In 1520, Cortés led a coordinated military campaign with Spanish and indigenous allies, notably the Tlascalans, against rebellious tribes and Aztec forces, employing strategic alliances and innovative tactics such as building a fleet to control Lake Tezcuco. Despite facing internal Spanish rivalries and a devastating smallpox epidemic that weakened indigenous populations, Cortés consolidated power through military victories, diplomatic efforts, and the establishment of colonial settlements, while intertwining conquest with religious conversion and imperial communication. The chapter also documents the brutality of warfare, the imposition of slavery, and the formal naming of the conquered territory as New Spain, marking the foundation of Spanish colonial administration.

In this chapter, Cortés leads a challenging reconnaissance expedition toward the Aztec capital, overcoming hostile engagements and securing strategic positions with the aid of indigenous allies despite their occasional insubordination. Attempts at diplomacy with the Aztecs fail amid ongoing skirmishes, prompting further military preparations including the construction of brigantines and the dispatch of reinforcements. Leadership tensions arise between Cortés and his lieutenant Sandoval but are ultimately resolved, while religious endorsement through papal bulls bolsters the Spanish campaign's legitimacy.

In this chapter, Cortés leads a challenging military reconnaissance and campaign through difficult mountainous terrain and fortified indigenous cities, relying heavily on indigenous alliances and tactical adaptability to overcome natural and human obstacles. The narrative details key battles, including the capture and plunder of wealthy cities like Cuernavaca and Xochimilco, Cortés's narrow escapes from capture, and the psychological and logistical preparations for the final assault on the Aztec capital. The chapter also reflects on the religious zeal motivating the conquistadors, the complexities of indigenous resistance and politics, and the difficulties historians face in reconstructing these events.