The Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs
Yale professor emeritus John Demos explained the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs by Conquistador Hernán Cortés. He spoke about the advantages that the Spanish had over the Aztecs in spite of their numerical disadvantages.
Description
Yale professor emeritus John Demos explained the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs by Conquistador Hernán Cortés. He spoke about the advantages that the Spanish had over the Aztecs in spite of their numerical disadvantages.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- According to Professor Demos, what disadvantages did Hernán Cortés have compared to the Aztecs?
- What military advantages did the Spaniards have?
- What does Professor Demos mean by the Spanish engaging in unplanned "bacteriological warfare?" How did this aid them?
- Describe the size of the Aztec Empire at the time. How did the Spanish use alliances with subject tribes to defeat the Aztecs?
Additional Resources
Participants
Vocabulary
- Aztec Empire
- Bacteriological Warfare
- Conquistador
- Hernán Cortés
- Montezuma
- Morale
- Smallpox
- Spaniard