Full Transcript
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbAjZTJn8-U
[00:00] In 1428 an alliance was formed between.
[00:02] In 1428 an alliance was formed between three powers in central america forming what we now call the aztec empire.
[00:05] Three powers in central america forming what we now call the aztec empire.
[00:07] The aztecs ruled the area through military domination strategic alliances taxes and.
[00:09] Aztecs ruled the area through military domination strategic alliances taxes and had a culture centered around sacrifice.
[00:11] Domination strategic alliances taxes and had a culture centered around sacrifice.
[00:13] Had a culture centered around sacrifice and rituals to the many gods that were worshipped in massive temples.
[00:15] And rituals to the many gods that were worshipped in massive temples constructed across the land.
[00:17] Worshipped in massive temples constructed across the land.
[00:19] The many cities conquered by the aztecs varied in language and traditions and were even allowed to continue practicing their own religion.
[00:22] Cities conquered by the aztecs varied in language and traditions and were even allowed to continue practicing their own religion.
[00:23] Language and traditions and were even allowed to continue practicing their own religion as long as they also agreed to worship huize lepuche the azdek god of the sun and war.
[00:25] Allowed to continue practicing their own religion as long as they also agreed to worship huize lepuche the azdek god of the sun and war.
[00:27] Religion as long as they also agreed to worship huize lepuche the azdek god of the sun and war.
[00:30] Worship huize lepuche the azdek god of the sun and war cities under aztec rule paid a tribute or tax to the emperor.
[00:32] The sun and war cities under aztec rule paid a tribute or tax to the emperor moktetsuma ii and in return they were promised protection and trade.
[00:34] Paid a tribute or tax to the emperor moktetsuma ii and in return they were promised protection and trade.
[00:37] Moktetsuma ii and in return they were promised protection and trade but its peak the empire covered much of what is today southern mexico.
[00:39] Promised protection and trade but its peak the empire covered much of what is today southern mexico.
[00:41] Peak the empire covered much of what is today southern mexico and had a population as high as several million people.
[00:42] Today southern mexico and had a population as high as several million people.
[00:44] Population as high as several million people but this mesoamerican superpower would only thrive for just under a century.
[00:46] People but this mesoamerican superpower would only thrive for just under a century before everything changed in 1519.
[00:48] Would only thrive for just under a century before everything changed in 1519 when spanish conquistadors arrived on their shores.
[00:50] Century before everything changed in 1519 when spanish conquistadors arrived on their shores.
[00:54] 1519 when spanish conquistadors arrived on their shores their hearts set on the riches of the americas.
[00:56] On their shores their hearts set on the riches of the americas the ensuing clash of cultures would be rife with suspicion.
[00:59] Riches of the americas the ensuing clash of cultures would be rife with suspicion.
[01:01] of cultures would be rife with suspicion betrayal and blood and the war would
[01:04] betrayal and blood and the war would bring about the fall of the mighty aztec
[01:06] bring about the fall of the mighty aztec empire
[01:18] in 1518 spain was enjoying its new
[01:20] in 1518 spain was enjoying its new colony in the new world cuba the island
[01:23] colony in the new world cuba the island had recently been conquered and was
[01:24] had recently been conquered and was being used as a launching point for
[01:26] being used as a launching point for further expeditions into the americas to
[01:28] further expeditions into the americas to contact natives map the landscape and of
[01:30] contact natives map the landscape and of course look for shiny shiny goals the
[01:33] course look for shiny shiny goals the newly appointed governor of cuba diego
[01:36] newly appointed governor of cuba diego velasquez was interested in establishing
[01:38] velasquez was interested in establishing contact with the inhabitants of mexico
[01:40] contact with the inhabitants of mexico and called hernan cortes and experienced
[01:43] and called hernan cortes and experienced conquistador to lead an expedition to
[01:45] conquistador to lead an expedition to meet the aztecs governor velasquez told
[01:47] meet the aztecs governor velasquez told cortes that the goal of this expedition
[01:49] cortes that the goal of this expedition was to be strictly focused on
[01:51] was to be strictly focused on exploration and trade and that
[01:53] exploration and trade and that conquering and settling the lands would
[01:54] conquering and settling the lands would have to wait until the spanish royalty
[01:56] have to wait until the spanish royalty approved of it but cortes sensed
[01:58] approved of it but cortes sensed ulterior motives mainly he was aware
[01:59] ulterior motives mainly he was aware that whoever was able to conquer mexico
[02:01] that whoever was able to conquer mexico would receive eternal fame and glory.
[02:03] would receive eternal fame and glory back in spain and governor velasquez.
[02:05] back in spain and governor velasquez wanted that for himself as cuba hadn't quite been as lucrative as everyone had expected.
[02:09] as cortes began gathering ships and crews for his expedition governor.
[02:14] and crews for his expedition governor velasquez received word that he seemed to be gearing up not to explore and trade like he was told to but was instead gathering weapons and men ready for conquering.
[02:23] for conquering to stop this velazquez sent another man luis to medina to replace cortes as head of the expedition.
[02:29] replace cortes as head of the expedition but this replacement was intercepted and murdered.
[02:32] murdered desperate to stop him velasquez then sent orders for the entire fleet to be seized and for cortes to be imprisoned.
[02:37] imprisoned but cortes managed to set sail before being captured officially.
[02:39] sail before being captured officially leaving cuba as a criminal and bringing with him 11 ships and over 600 men.
[02:45] with him 11 ships and over 600 men the first stop on the way to mexico was cozumel an island just east of the yucatan peninsula.
[02:50] yucatan peninsula this part of central america was controlled by the maya.
[02:51] america was controlled by the maya while attempting to convert the mine locals to christianity an odd rumor reached cortes telling of two other white men nearby.
[02:58] christianity an odd rumor reached cortes telling of two other white men nearby.
[03:01] telling of two other white men nearby these men were geronimo de aguilar and
[03:03] These men were Geronimo de Aguilar and Gonzalo Guerrero and they had been.
[03:05] Gonzalo Guerrero and they had been stranded in the Yucatan for eight years.
[03:07] Stranded in the Yucatan for eight years since their shipwreck in 1511.
[03:09] Both had been taken captive and enslaved by the Maya.
[03:11] But had since earned their freedom.
[03:13] Guerrero chose to remain with the Maya as he now had a wife and children.
[03:16] And Aguilar adopted to join Cortes on his journey.
[03:18] Aguilar would prove to be a useful asset for Cortez as an interpreter.
[03:21] As he had mastered the Maya language during his years there.
[03:22] After picking up the Aguilar, Cortes left Cozumel Island.
[03:24] Sailed around the remainder of the Yucatan Peninsula.
[03:26] Landing at the city of Potonchan, part of the Mayan Kingdom of Tabasco.
[03:27] Communicating through Aguilar's translator, Cortes told the inhabitants of the city that he would do no harm.
[03:29] And come in peace.
[03:31] But contrary to his words, he ordered the musketeers and archers to ready their weapons.
[03:32] Which did not go unnoticed by the natives.
[03:34] Tensions between the two groups skyrocketed.
[03:36] And Cortes issued a royal order to allow his men to disembark from their ships.
[03:38] The Maya surrounded the fleet with small canoes.
[03:40] And told Cortes that if he set foot on the island, he would be killed.
[03:42] And they began firing arrows at the Spanish.
[04:03] began firing arrows as the spanish jumped out of their ship sparking full combat from both sides.
[04:08] bernal diaz a conquistador with cortes wrote many indians charged us with spears and others pierced us with arrows ensuring that we did not touch land as soon as we would have liked and with so much mud we couldn't even move and cortez was fighting and he lost a shoe in the mud and came to land with one barefoot after leaving their ships the spanish were at a disadvantage trying to get to shore but ultimately their weapons armor and numbers were superior against the man forces on the beach.
[04:33] the man warriors fled and the spanish chased after them all the way to the center of their city.
[04:38] upon seizing the main square of potochan cortez declared its new name to be santa maria de la victoria the first settlement of new spain but the fighter wasn't over.
[04:48] the next day cortes sent to scout groups to march a few miles inland which quickly ran into a mine ambush.
[04:54] after several hours of fighting the natives retreated and the scout groups returned to cortez.
[05:00] this was when a captured bomb warrior informed the spanish that the natives were planning
[05:03] spanish that the natives were planning to gather their forces for another attack.
[05:05] to gather their forces for another attack so cortes ordered that the horses and the cannons be unloaded from the ships and ready for battle as the next day dawned.
[05:08] attack so cortes ordered that the horses and the cannons be unloaded from the ships and ready for battle as the next day dawned.
[05:09] and the cannons be unloaded from the ships and ready for battle as the next day dawned.
[05:12] ships and ready for battle as the next day dawned the mayan forces of the tabasco kingdom regrouped where they fought the scout groups the previous day.
[05:13] day dawned the mayan forces of the tabasco kingdom regrouped where they fought the scout groups the previous day.
[05:15] tabasco kingdom regrouped where they fought the scout groups the previous day at a city called sendler and cortes marched with his men to meet them when the two armies came face to face.
[05:17] fought the scout groups the previous day at a city called sendler and cortes marched with his men to meet them when the two armies came face to face.
[05:19] at a city called sendler and cortes marched with his men to meet them when the two armies came face to face.
[05:21] marched with his men to meet them when the two armies came face to face the spanish noted that there were so many natives that the entire landscape was covered with them carrying spears bows and small shields.
[05:22] the two armies came face to face the spanish noted that there were so many natives that the entire landscape was covered with them carrying spears bows and small shields.
[05:24] spanish noted that there were so many natives that the entire landscape was covered with them carrying spears bows and small shields.
[05:26] natives that the entire landscape was covered with them carrying spears bows and small shields.
[05:28] covered with them carrying spears bows and small shields the fighting began immediately.
[05:30] and small shields the fighting began immediately the skirmish later named the battle of sandler resulted in around 70 spanish being injured and thousands of man warriors being killed.
[05:32] immediately the skirmish later named the battle of sandler resulted in around 70 spanish being injured and thousands of man warriors being killed.
[05:34] battle of sandler resulted in around 70 spanish being injured and thousands of man warriors being killed.
[05:36] spanish being injured and thousands of man warriors being killed despite being outnumbered once again cortes was able to lead his men to victory primarily thanks to his firearms cannons and cavalry.
[05:38] man warriors being killed despite being outnumbered once again cortes was able to lead his men to victory primarily thanks to his firearms cannons and cavalry.
[05:40] outnumbered once again cortes was able to lead his men to victory primarily thanks to his firearms cannons and cavalry.
[05:42] to lead his men to victory primarily thanks to his firearms cannons and cavalry.
[05:43] thanks to his firearms cannons and cavalry the battle of centler was the first wartime usage of cavalry in the new world and the maya had never seen anything like it.
[05:45] cavalry the battle of centler was the first wartime usage of cavalry in the new world and the maya had never seen anything like it.
[05:47] first wartime usage of cavalry in the new world and the maya had never seen anything like it.
[05:49] new world and the maya had never seen anything like it one conquistador noted we saw how the cavalry came and we trapped them with them on one side and we on the other and the indians believed that the horse and rider were one as they had never seen horses before.
[05:51] anything like it one conquistador noted we saw how the cavalry came and we trapped them with them on one side and we on the other and the indians believed that the horse and rider were one as they had never seen horses before.
[05:53] we saw how the cavalry came and we trapped them with them on one side and we on the other and the indians believed that the horse and rider were one as they had never seen horses before.
[05:54] trapped them with them on one side and we on the other and the indians believed that the horse and rider were one as they had never seen horses before.
[05:57] we on the other and the indians believed that the horse and rider were one as they had never seen horses before.
[05:59] that the horse and rider were one as they had never seen horses before.
[06:01] they had never seen horses before ultimately the spanish were victorious and the next day following local
[06:03] ultimately the spanish were victorious and the next day following local
[06:04] and the next day following local tradition that defeated tabasco kingdom
[06:06] tradition that defeated tabasco kingdom sent ambassadors bearing gifts this
[06:08] sent ambassadors bearing gifts this included turquoise gold jade and even
[06:10] included turquoise gold jade and even animals but these other gifts paled in
[06:12] animals but these other gifts paled in comparison to the 20 young ma women
[06:14] comparison to the 20 young ma women given to the spanish for their victory
[06:16] given to the spanish for their victory one of whom would become a crucial part
[06:18] one of whom would become a crucial part of the spanish conquest this young woman
[06:20] of the spanish conquest this young woman was known by several names such as
[06:22] was known by several names such as marina but in this video we're going to
[06:24] marina but in this video we're going to refer to her by one of her most common
[06:25] refer to her by one of her most common names lamalinche cortez later realized
[06:28] the importance melinda carried when he
[06:30] the importance melinda carried when he learned of her linguistic abilities not
[06:32] learned of her linguistic abilities not only did she speak the mayan tongue of
[06:34] only did she speak the mayan tongue of her hometown but she also spoke nahatwal
[06:36] her hometown but she also spoke nahatwal the language of the aztecs cortes could
[06:38] the language of the aztecs cortes could speak spanish to aguilar the spaniard
[06:40] speak spanish to aguilar the spaniard that they had picked up earlier and
[06:42] that they had picked up earlier and aguilar could translate this into maya
[06:44] aguilar could translate this into maya for malinche who could then translate it
[06:46] for malinche who could then translate it into a hattle cortez had found his key
[06:48] into a hattle cortez had found his key to communicating with the aztecs now he
[06:50] to communicating with the aztecs now he just had to find them
[06:56] after leaving ponte chan and the kingdom
[06:58] after leaving ponte chan and the kingdom of tabasco cortes sailed a little
[07:00] of tabasco cortes sailed a little further north landing on the east coast
[07:02] further north landing on the east coast of mexico in the territory of the aztec
[07:03] of mexico in the territory of the aztec empire for reference this area of mexico
[07:05] empire for reference this area of mexico would later become veracruz one of.
[07:07] would later become veracruz one of mexico's major port cities soon after.
[07:09] mexico's major port cities soon after landing representatives from the aztec.
[07:10] landing representatives from the aztec empire mokutezuma ii arrived to greet.
[07:13] empire mokutezuma ii arrived to greet cortes and exchange gifts the.
[07:16] cortes and exchange gifts the interaction went smoothly and.
[07:17] interaction went smoothly and surprisingly a war didn't start but.
[07:19] surprisingly a war didn't start but cortes made sure to show off their.
[07:21] cortes made sure to show off their firearms before sending the aztecs back.
[07:23] firearms before sending the aztecs back home and we can be sure that the cannons.
[07:25] home and we can be sure that the cannons made quite the impression now before.
[07:27] made quite the impression now before continuing cortez had problems to solve.
[07:29] continuing cortez had problems to solve remember when he had his replacement.
[07:31] remember when he had his replacement murdered and fled cuba in an act of.
[07:33] murdered and fled cuba in an act of mutiny against velasquez well criminal.
[07:36] mutiny against velasquez well criminal charges don't just disappear overnight.
[07:38] charges don't just disappear overnight and he still needed to resolve this or.
[07:40] and he still needed to resolve this or else he could face imprisonment or even.
[07:42] else he could face imprisonment or even the death penalty for treason luckily.
[07:44] the death penalty for treason luckily cortes had an idea first he established.
[07:46] cortes had an idea first he established an official settlement the name of which.
[07:48] an official settlement the name of which was la villarica de la veracruz the new.
[07:51] was la villarica de la veracruz the new town council of the villarreal then.
[07:53] town council of the villarreal then elected cortes as the chief judge now.
[07:56] elected cortes as the chief judge now somehow this legal loophole they had.
[07:57] somehow this legal loophole they had crawled through meant that they were no.
[07:59] crawled through meant that they were no longer under the jurisdiction of.
[08:00] longer under the jurisdiction of governor velasquez in cuba and instead.
[08:03] governor velasquez in cuba and instead directly under the authority of the.
[08:04] directly under the authority of the crown in spain cortes then sent a few.
[08:06] crown in spain cortes then sent a few men to return to spain to work out the details with the crown and ensure the legality.
[08:09] Now this sounds really strange but ironically governor velasquez himself had used exactly the same strategy during his conquering of cuba.
[08:17] So it wasn't exactly unheard of with the legal mess all mopped up quarters continued exploring and arrived at the city of simpoala.
[08:23] Zamboa was part of the tonight kingdom who had been conquered by the aztecs and were now paying tribute to them.
[08:29] Cortes convinced them to join his side against the aztecs and the tottonak were quick to accept his offer.
[08:35] 40 of the tonic war chiefs and a couple of hundred of their men were now numbered among the spanish forces and the group was ready to continue the march to the aztec capital.
[08:42] But before leaving behind the coast and heading up to the heart of the aesthetic empire rumor of a possible mutiny began circling among the spanish.
[08:50] It turns out that a few of the men were still loyal to velasquez and were planning to steal a ship and return to cuba.
[08:58] The leaders of this mutiny were executed and everyone else involved was punished harshly and to eliminate even the slightest idea that returning to cuba was an option cortes did something drastic he
[09:07] Cortes did something drastic. He destroyed his own ships, 10 of the 11.
[09:09] Destroyed his own ships, 10 of the 11 Spanish vessels in the fleet were scuttled.
[09:11] Spanish vessels in the fleet were scuttled. It's popular belief that Cortes had his ships burned, but this is actually a misconception.
[09:12] It's popular belief that Cortes had his ships burned, but this is actually a misconception.
[09:14] Actually a misconception, and the accounts of conquistadors and the expeditions state that the ships were intentionally sunk instead of set on fire.
[09:16] Actually a misconception, and the accounts of conquistadors and the expeditions state that the ships were intentionally sunk instead of set on fire.
[09:18] Accounts of conquistadors and the expeditions state that the ships were intentionally sunk instead of set on fire.
[09:19] Expeditions state that the ships were intentionally sunk instead of set on fire with any hope of return at the bottom of the ocean.
[09:22] Intentionally sunk instead of set on fire with any hope of return at the bottom of the ocean.
[09:23] Fire with any hope of return at the bottom of the ocean.
[09:25] Bottom of the ocean, there was no choice but to follow Cortes deeper into Mexico.
[09:28] But to follow Cortes deeper into Mexico.
[09:30] This was a historic gamble, but ultimately it paid off.
[09:36] As the group marched further inland across Mexico's diverse landscape, they encountered their next opponents.
[09:38] As the group marched further inland across Mexico's diverse landscape, they encountered their next opponents.
[09:40] Encountered their next opponents, the Tlaxcalan.
[09:42] Tlaxcala was a federation of around 200 small scattered cities, and its central government didn't have much influence on these towns.
[09:45] Tlaxcala was a federation of around 200 small scattered cities, and its central government didn't have much influence on these towns.
[09:47] Its central government didn't have much influence on these towns. Despite this, Tlaxcala was unique in that it avoided being conquered by the Aztecs.
[09:49] Its central government didn't have much influence on these towns. Despite this, Tlaxcala was unique in that it avoided being conquered by the Aztecs.
[09:52] Despite this, Tlaxcala was unique in that it avoided being conquered by the Aztecs, but their territory was now completely surrounded by Aztec control.
[09:54] Tlaxcala was unique in that it avoided being conquered by the Aztecs, but their territory was now completely surrounded by Aztec control.
[09:56] Being conquered by the Aztecs, but their territory was now completely surrounded by Aztec control.
[09:58] Territory was now completely surrounded by Aztec control. The Aztecs still waged war with the Tlaxcala every year in an annual event known as the Flower Wars.
[10:00] By Aztec control, the Aztecs still waged war with the Tlaxcala every year in an annual event known as the Flower Wars.
[10:02] War with the Tlaxcala every year in an annual event known as the Flower Wars, which makes some historians believe that the Aztec may have intentionally left.
[10:04] Annual event known as the Flower Wars, which makes some historians believe that the Aztec may have intentionally left.
[10:06] Which makes some historians believe that the Aztec may have intentionally left.
[10:08] the aztec may have intentionally left them unconquered so that they could perform human sacrifice with the prisoners of war that they captured each year after years of unending warfare and.
[10:14] surrounded by their enemies clax carla was understandably hostile to foreigners and they treated cortes no differently.
[10:20] returning on the 2nd of september 1519 that clax carlin gathered their armies to fight cortes as he arrived in their territory and attacked the spanish immediately.
[10:28] during the fighting cortez repeatedly released prisoners to return to their leaders with messages of peace and after three days the strategy worked.
[10:36] and the war leader ixikotenkotol ii made peace with cortes on the grounds that the aztecs were their common enemy.
[10:43] cortez and his men were then brought to the main klaxcarla city where nobles and leaders greeted them with excitement.
[10:49] the scarlet people were ready for revenge against the aztecs as on top of battling with them each year the aztecs had also cut off lax carla from trade and the people were lacking in many essentials.
[11:01] the spanish and flexcaller quickly became close trusted allies and cortes was extra respectful during his stay in their territory to add to the growing.
[11:08] their territory to add to the growing bond four of their leaders were even baptized into catholicism and added the god of christianity to their ever-growing list of deities to worship.
[11:17] after resting for a few weeks with their new friends the spanish and the clax collins began marching towards their first aztec city cholula.
[11:25] cholula was one of the most important aztec cities and one of the most beautiful often called the religious center of the aztec empire.
[11:33] cholula boasted magnificent temples and worship sites but the real attraction was the great pyramid which was actually larger in volume than even the largest of the pyramids of giza.
[11:42] cortez entered the city without any bloodshed which wasn't a surprise as the religious centre didn't have a large army.
[11:47] contrary to tradition the leaders of cholula didn't meet cortes to welcome him to the city and had not offered him food water or gifts.
[11:55] there was an uneasy tension and some of cortez's allies reported that fortifications were being built outside the city.
[11:59] malenche who as mentioned earlier was fluent in the aztecs language spoke to one of the noble wives who told her of a secret plan to murder the spanish in their sleep.
[12:10] The Spanish in their sleep Melanche brought this information to Cortez.
[12:12] Who with no way to verify the validity of the story decided to strike first and ordered his men to attack the city.
[12:17] The Tux Carlin and the Spanish approached their leaders in the temple who admitted that the Aztec emperor Moctezuma the second had indeed ordered them to defend Cholula but that they had ignored this order.
[12:28] Regardless Cortez was highly suspicious so he had them all killed and then his men set fire to and attacked the people of Cholula.
[12:35] In just a few hours over 3000 people were massacred.
[12:37] Fearing the same fate Emperor Moktitsuma sent messengers to officially invite the Spanish and their allies to the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan.
[12:43] As Cortez and his forces entered Tenochtitlan they must have been amazed by what they saw.
[12:49] The capital was situated on an island in the center of a lake could be accessed by long wooden causeways that crossed the water.
[12:55] The city was absolutely massive and with a population anywhere from 100 to 300,000 it was the largest city in the Americas.
[13:02] Not only was it the largest city in the Americas but it was also one of the largest in the world dwarfing most cities in Europe at the time and it was certainly an impressive sight to the Spanish.
[13:08] On November 8th, 1519, Emperor
[13:12] spanish on november 8th 1519 emperor moktatsuma himself came to meet cortes.
[13:14] moktatsuma himself came to meet cortes in one of the causeway gave him expensive jewelry and traditional aztec clothing and welcomed him to the city.
[13:20] according to the spanish mokutsuma explained that he believed cortes to be the god quetzalcoatl the god of death resurrection knowledge and many other things.
[13:31] but why would he believe such a thing ancient aztec legends taught that this god the feathered serpent god had promised to one day return from the east to tenochtitlan and rule the aztec kingdom.
[13:40] when not in his feathered costume the god was often depicted as a bearded man but it gets even crazier to add to the coincidence quaitakota was prophesized to return in one reed year which in the cyclical aztec calendar occurs once every 52 years.
[13:55] the year the bearded cortes arrived from the east 1519 just happened to be one of these won reed years unnerving coincidence drove moktetsuma to declare his loyalty to cortes and he said to him as for your great king i am in his debt and will give him of what i possess today there.
[14:14] give him of what i possess today there is debate about the authenticity of this.
[14:16] is debate about the authenticity of this version of events and many modern scholars believe that the spanish exaggerated the story in the decades after and that mocted zuma never really thought cortes was a god.
[14:21] exaggerated the story in the decades after and that mocted zuma never really thought cortes was a god however it is likely that at the time at least some of the population drew connections between the legend of quetzalcoatl's return and cortes.
[14:33] the legend of quetzalcoatl's return and cortes after all there were many coincidences but mokhtetsuma himself could have been quite skeptical.
[14:39] could have been quite skeptical regardless of moktek zuma's beliefs it seems at first that everything in the capital was off to a great diplomatic start and the spanish even got a glimpse of the royal aztec treasury which supposedly contained so much gold that they were speechless when they saw it.
[14:52] they were speechless when they saw it but things quickly took a turn for the worse just a couple of days later court is upon seeing the great temple in the center of tenochtitlan asked moktetsuma to raise a giant cross and an image of the virgin mary at the top of it.
[15:03] the virgin mary at the top of it the aztec priests were furious at this request so furious in fact that they killed seven spaniards in retaliation.
[15:09] the priests were burned to death gortez took bhoktatsuma hostage keeping him alive to use his control over the city.
[15:16] alive to use his control over the city as he remained emperor even while
[15:17] as he remained emperor even while imprisoned in the palace with cortes
[15:19] imprisoned in the palace with cortes during the next few months cortes began
[15:21] during the next few months cortes began looting tennochitlan and nearby cities
[15:23] looting tennochitlan and nearby cities melting their gold down into ingots and
[15:25] melting their gold down into ingots and preparing it to return to spain and
[15:27] preparing it to return to spain and built a catholic altar on top of the
[15:28] built a catholic altar on top of the great temple but some inhabitants of
[15:30] great temple but some inhabitants of tenochtitlan were starting to get fed up
[15:32] tenochtitlan were starting to get fed up with all of this the remaining aztec
[15:34] with all of this the remaining aztec priests and moktetsuma's brother had
[15:36] priests and moktetsuma's brother had began rallying warriors and ability
[15:38] began rallying warriors and ability around the idea of a rebellion to
[15:40] around the idea of a rebellion to overthrow the spanish but were hesitant
[15:42] overthrow the spanish but were hesitant without the permission of the emperor
[15:43] without the permission of the emperor with tensions in the capital rising for
[15:45] with tensions in the capital rising for months quarters received more bad news
[15:47] months quarters received more bad news mogted zuma informed cortes that another
[15:49] mogted zuma informed cortes that another fleet of spanish had just arrived on the
[15:51] fleet of spanish had just arrived on the coast this was a man named naves and he
[15:53] coast this was a man named naves and he had been sent from cuba by governor
[15:55] had been sent from cuba by governor velasquez to kill cortes for his treason
[15:58] velasquez to kill cortes for his treason cortes was forced to handle this
[15:59] cortes was forced to handle this immediately so he left conquistador
[16:01] immediately so he left conquistador alvarado in charge of watching
[16:03] alvarado in charge of watching moctetsuma and took most of his men out
[16:06] moctetsuma and took most of his men out of the city and off to meet the arriving
[16:07] of the city and off to meet the arriving spanish cortez supported by a couple of
[16:09] spanish cortez supported by a couple of hundred spaniards and ten thousand
[16:10] hundred spaniards and ten thousand native warriors ambushed naves at night
[16:13] native warriors ambushed naves at night barbaez and his forces were completely
[16:15] barbaez and his forces were completely taken by surprise and after some chaotic
[16:17] Taken by surprise and after some chaotic fighting, Nares received a spear to the eye.
[16:19] After he was captured, the hundreds of new Spanish arrivals surrendered.
[16:20] Cortez and after some convincing simply joined his army.
[16:25] Velazquez had tried to kill Cortez but instead had essentially sent him reinforcements and ammunition.
[16:37] Back in the capital, things had only gotten worse after Cortez had left.
[16:38] Moctezuma, while still under house arrest, had asked Alvarado for permission to celebrate the feast of Toxcatl.
[16:42] And was allowed to, but during the ceremony, Spanish soldiers suddenly attacked and slaughtered the Aztec nobility.
[16:48] And anyone else celebrating inside the temple.
[16:50] The Spanish claimed at one point that they had intervened to stop human sacrifice, which was indeed part of the ritual.
[16:57] But later claimed it was a preemptive strike to quell a rebellion.
[16:59] While the Aztecs claimed that the Spanish had been tempted by all the gold jewelry that they'd seen on the nobles.
[17:05] No matter the cause, the scene was brutal, and hundreds lay dead in the temple.
[17:09] Murdered in the religious center of their capital.
[17:11] To make matters worse for the Spanish, a few of the nobles had escaped the carnage and spread the word.
[17:18] escaped the carnage and spread the word of the attack through the city and.
[17:19] of the attack through the city and citizens began taking to the streets.
[17:21] citizens began taking to the streets ready to fight the conquistadors and.
[17:23] ready to fight the conquistadors and their allies this was the problematic.
[17:25] their allies this was the problematic scene that cortes returned to in july.
[17:27] scene that cortes returned to in july 1520 and just as he arrived the city.
[17:30] 1520 and just as he arrived the city rose up in full scale rebellion cortes.
[17:33] rose up in full scale rebellion cortes asked moktatsuma to speak to the crowds.
[17:36] asked moktatsuma to speak to the crowds and command them to stop but they.
[17:37] and command them to stop but they ignored their emperor and threw rocks at.
[17:39] ignored their emperor and threw rocks at him killing him despite their superior.
[17:41] him killing him despite their superior firepower the sheer number of civilians.
[17:43] firepower the sheer number of civilians fighting in the streets were simply.
[17:44] fighting in the streets were simply overwhelming and the spanish had no.
[17:45] overwhelming and the spanish had no choice but to retreat across the.
[17:47] choice but to retreat across the causeways out of the city the retreat.
[17:49] causeways out of the city the retreat known as the sad night was a devastating.
[17:51] known as the sad night was a devastating day for the spanish forces cortes tried.
[17:53] day for the spanish forces cortes tried to sneak out of tenochtitlan but his men.
[17:55] to sneak out of tenochtitlan but his men were spotted while crossing the city's.
[17:57] were spotted while crossing the city's canals the city was up in arms and tried.
[18:00] canals the city was up in arms and tried to stop them from fleeing heavy rain.
[18:02] to stop them from fleeing heavy rain poured down on the spanish as they made.
[18:03] poured down on the spanish as they made their way through the angry crowds the.
[18:05] their way through the angry crowds the causeways desperately trying to escape.
[18:07] causeways desperately trying to escape the city the citizens and tennochitlan.
[18:09] the city the citizens and tennochitlan were armed with spears bows and the.
[18:11] were armed with spears bows and the fearsome maguawa an obsidian bladed.
[18:13] fearsome maguawa an obsidian bladed carbon the spanish were more outnumbered.
[18:16] carbon the spanish were more outnumbered than ever before once on the causeways.
[18:18] than ever before once on the causeways they were surrounded on all sides by.
[18:20] they were surrounded on all sides by aztec war canoes full of angry warriors.
[18:22] aztec war canoes full of angry warriors that stabbed fired arrows and threw.
[18:24] that stabbed fired arrows and threw rocks at the fleeing spanish as the.
[18:26] rocks at the fleeing spanish as the orderly retreat morphed into more of a.
[18:28] orderly retreat morphed into more of a panicked run dozens of spanish were.
[18:29] panicked run dozens of spanish were killed or fell behind and were captured.
[18:31] killed or fell behind and were captured others weighed down by their armor.
[18:33] others weighed down by their armor golden jade fell through the gaps in the.
[18:35] golden jade fell through the gaps in the bridges and drowned in the lake at one.
[18:37] bridges and drowned in the lake at one point the conquistador alvarado was.
[18:39] point the conquistador alvarado was faced with a gap in the causeway and as.
[18:41] faced with a gap in the causeway and as he ran he stabbed his spear into the.
[18:43] he ran he stabbed his spear into the bottom of the lake to carry himself to.
[18:45] bottom of the lake to carry himself to the other side after fighting their way.
[18:47] the other side after fighting their way back to land it became clear just how.
[18:49] back to land it became clear just how much cortez had lost that night sources.
[18:51] much cortez had lost that night sources vary but it's generally agreed that at.
[18:52] vary but it's generally agreed that at least a few hundred spanish soldiers.
[18:54] least a few hundred spanish soldiers were killed while escaping the city as.
[18:56] were killed while escaping the city as well as over a thousand like skyline.
[18:58] well as over a thousand like skyline warriors and those that had been.
[19:00] warriors and those that had been captured alive were already being taken.
[19:02] captured alive were already being taken up the steps of the main temple to be.
[19:03] up the steps of the main temple to be sacrificed but the fighting wasn't over.
[19:06] sacrificed but the fighting wasn't over cortes was still in hostile land and was.
[19:08] cortes was still in hostile land and was still being chased he took his men.
[19:09] still being chased he took his men around the city and began heading east.
[19:11] around the city and began heading east toward his allies the plaque scala where.
[19:13] toward his allies the plaque scala where he knew he could find refuge but the.
[19:15] he knew he could find refuge but the aztecs wouldn't let cortes get away so.
[19:17] aztecs wouldn't let cortes get away so easily and sent an army to kill him.
[19:18] easily and sent an army to kill him which intercepted the spanish march in the plain of ottumba on the 7th of july 1520.
[19:26] the battle of atumba would be the first time that the aztecs would fight against the spanish in open combat.
[19:31] up until that point they underestimated cortes and his abilities especially with how poorly their retreat from the capital had gone.
[19:37] even worse the aztecs didn't understand the strength that war horses brought to a fight as they had only seen them gently walking around tenochtitlan during their stay in the capital.
[19:46] and they weren't ready for how fast and deadly they could be in battle.
[19:50] the battle began with cortez ordering his cavalry to charge straight into the aztec front lines.
[19:54] this disorientated them and with no real idea of how to counter such an attack many of the aztec ranks became disorganized and chaotic.
[20:00] but because of their immense numbers they were still able to keep the pressure on the spanish.
[20:05] cortez knew that his chance of victory was to go straight for their leader and quickly spotted him among his army thanks to his ornamental headdress and colorful armor.
[20:13] cortez led a charge with his captain straight at the aztec leader and attacked him with his lance.
[20:16] wanda salamanca managed to
[20:18] his lance wanda salamanca managed to defeat him in battle and claimed the
[20:20] defeat him in battle and claimed the aztec battle standard which cortes then
[20:22] aztec battle standard which cortes then raised as his own with their chief
[20:23] raised as his own with their chief defeat at the aztec army quickly fell
[20:25] defeat at the aztec army quickly fell into disarray and began retreating
[20:27] into disarray and began retreating cortes was now able to march safely into
[20:29] cortes was now able to march safely into clark scala arrest up and plan his
[20:31] clark scala arrest up and plan his return when they arrived in tlaxcala as
[20:33] return when they arrived in tlaxcala as much as half of the spanish and
[20:35] much as half of the spanish and thousands of his allies had been killed
[20:37] thousands of his allies had been killed nearly everyone was wounded cortes
[20:39] nearly everyone was wounded cortes included and ammunition was running low
[20:40] included and ammunition was running low the aztec sent a message to the tax
[20:43] the aztec sent a message to the tax carla promising the much-needed peace
[20:44] carla promising the much-needed peace and trade if they killed the spanish
[20:46] and trade if they killed the spanish which they easily had enough strength to
[20:48] which they easily had enough strength to do but the taxkala rejected the offer
[20:50] do but the taxkala rejected the offer and reaffirmed their alliance with
[20:51] and reaffirmed their alliance with cortez as part of the new treaty with
[20:53] cortez as part of the new treaty with them cortes promised in the name of the
[20:55] them cortes promised in the name of the spanish crown that tlaxcarla would
[20:57] spanish crown that tlaxcarla would receive half the spoils from
[20:59] receive half the spoils from tenochtitlan the entire city of cholula
[21:02] tenochtitlan the entire city of cholula and spanish weaponry and supplies cortes
[21:04] and spanish weaponry and supplies cortes then moved into the surrounding nations
[21:06] then moved into the surrounding nations that were under aztec control some he
[21:08] that were under aztec control some he fought briefly before convincing them to
[21:11] fought briefly before convincing them to join his alliance and some joined with
[21:12] join his alliance and some joined with no resistance at all slowly but surely
[21:14] no resistance at all slowly but surely cortez was multiplying his strength
[21:16] cortez was multiplying his strength while simultaneously weakening the
[21:18] while simultaneously weakening the aztecs and when some spanish ships full
[21:20] aztecs and when some spanish ships full of supplies and ammunition arrived in
[21:22] of supplies and ammunition arrived in mexico cortez was ready to take on the
[21:24] mexico cortez was ready to take on the capital
[21:27] capital [Music]
[21:30] with moktatsuma killed the people of
[21:32] with moktatsuma killed the people of tenochtitlan had chosen a new emperor
[21:34] tenochtitlan had chosen a new emperor quit laulac moktatsuma's brother but his
[21:37] quit laulac moktatsuma's brother but his time on the throne was not particularly
[21:38] time on the throne was not particularly long the upclose and personal fighting
[21:40] long the upclose and personal fighting on the causeways had allowed smallpox to
[21:42] on the causeways had allowed smallpox to pass from some of the spanish soldiers
[21:44] pass from some of the spanish soldiers into the aztec population and the
[21:45] into the aztec population and the disease spread like wildfire through the
[21:47] disease spread like wildfire through the capital killing thousands including new
[21:49] capital killing thousands including new emperor the aztecs referred to smallpox
[21:51] emperor the aztecs referred to smallpox as the great rash and is estimated to
[21:53] as the great rash and is estimated to have killed up to 40 percent of the
[21:54] have killed up to 40 percent of the city's population and also caused
[21:56] city's population and also caused intense famine in the region when
[21:58] intense famine in the region when able-bodied farmers were too sick to
[22:00] able-bodied farmers were too sick to produce the food needed for such a large
[22:01] produce the food needed for such a large population the europeans had been
[22:03] population the europeans had been battling smallpox for hundreds of years
[22:04] battling smallpox for hundreds of years so their immunity was much higher than
[22:06] so their immunity was much higher than the natives of the americas who were now
[22:08] the natives of the americas who were now experiencing it for the first time
[22:10] experiencing it for the first time smallpox is one of the main reasons that
[22:12] smallpox is one of the main reasons that the aztecs weren't able to send massive
[22:14] the aztecs weren't able to send massive forces after cortes while he was gaining
[22:16] forces after cortes while he was gaining alliances in the surrounding area and
[22:18] alliances in the surrounding area and were instead fortifying their city for
[22:20] were instead fortifying their city for defense arriving at the lake surrounding
[22:22] defense arriving at the lake surrounding tenochtitlan the spanish constructed 13
[22:24] tenochtitlan the spanish constructed 13 brigantines or small warships each
[22:26] brigantines or small warships each warship was armed with crossbowmen
[22:28] warship was armed with crossbowmen musketeers and cannons accompanying the
[22:30] musketeers and cannons accompanying the spanish forces were 20 000 allies that
[22:33] spanish forces were 20 000 allies that had joined up along the way and together
[22:34] had joined up along the way and together they began cutting off the capital from
[22:36] they began cutting off the capital from the outside world they broke the
[22:38] the outside world they broke the aqueduct that carried water into the
[22:40] aqueduct that carried water into the capital began circling the banks of the
[22:42] capital began circling the banks of the lake alvarado and thousands of allied
[22:43] lake alvarado and thousands of allied warriors began attempting to cross one
[22:45] warriors began attempting to cross one of the causeways but were repelled by
[22:47] of the causeways but were repelled by aztec warriors as the bridges were too
[22:49] aztec warriors as the bridges were too narrow for horses to be useful on the
[22:50] narrow for horses to be useful on the other side of the lake cortez launched
[22:52] other side of the lake cortez launched his ships and battled over a thousand
[22:54] his ships and battled over a thousand aztec canoes these aztec walker news
[22:57] aztec canoes these aztec walker news were highly effective at first but late
[22:59] were highly effective at first but late became outgunned by the spanish ships in
[23:00] became outgunned by the spanish ships in the lake forcing a change in their plans
[23:02] the lake forcing a change in their plans day after day the spanish tried to push
[23:04] day after day the spanish tried to push up the causeways but had to retreat at
[23:06] up the causeways but had to retreat at night losing any ground gain during the
[23:08] night losing any ground gain during the day but the aztecs were being weakened
[23:10] day but the aztecs were being weakened every day and their food situation was
[23:12] every day and their food situation was growing desperate spanish ships
[23:13] growing desperate spanish ships intercepted supply canoes every night
[23:15] intercepted supply canoes every night and many inhabitants of the capital were
[23:17] and many inhabitants of the capital were resorting to drinking lake water the
[23:19] resorting to drinking lake water the spanish were now camping on the
[23:20] spanish were now camping on the causeways at night to avoid losing their
[23:22] causeways at night to avoid losing their progress and we're slowly getting closer
[23:24] progress and we're slowly getting closer to the city after one intense battle two
[23:26] to the city after one intense battle two aztec chiefs were caught and
[23:28] aztec chiefs were caught and interrogated alerting the spanish to an
[23:30] interrogated alerting the spanish to an ambush planned for that night walkernews
[23:32] ambush planned for that night walkernews were planning to ambush two of cortez's
[23:34] were planning to ambush two of cortez's ships so cortes launched a
[23:36] ships so cortes launched a counter-ambush and destroyed dozens of
[23:38] counter-ambush and destroyed dozens of aztec canoes the fighting was desperate
[23:40] aztec canoes the fighting was desperate and brutal on both sides the spanish
[23:42] and brutal on both sides the spanish wrote with horror that each night they
[23:44] wrote with horror that each night they could see their own men being sacrificed
[23:46] could see their own men being sacrificed on top of the main temple we saw our
[23:48] on top of the main temple we saw our comrades who had been captured in
[23:49] comrades who had been captured in cortez's defeat being dragged up the
[23:52] cortez's defeat being dragged up the steps to be sacrificed cutting open
[23:54] steps to be sacrificed cutting open their chests drew out their palpitating
[23:56] their chests drew out their palpitating hearts which they offered to theirs then
[23:58] hearts which they offered to theirs then they ate their flesh with a source of
[24:01] they ate their flesh with a source of peppers and tomatoes after 12 days of
[24:03] peppers and tomatoes after 12 days of siege the spanish were beginning to make
[24:05] siege the spanish were beginning to make significant progress many of the coastal
[24:07] significant progress many of the coastal towns that were supplying the capital
[24:09] towns that were supplying the capital surrendered to cortes and the spanish
[24:11] surrendered to cortes and the spanish had complete naval control of the lake
[24:12] had complete naval control of the lake tenochtitlan was completely out of food
[24:14] tenochtitlan was completely out of food and water and people were eating
[24:16] and water and people were eating anything that they could get their hands
[24:17] anything that they could get their hands on like leather and even wood at last
[24:19] on like leather and even wood at last the spanish managed to reach the city
[24:21] the spanish managed to reach the city and began using rubble from the
[24:22] and began using rubble from the buildings to fill in gaps in the
[24:24] buildings to fill in gaps in the causeways allowing their cavalry
[24:26] causeways allowing their cavalry formations to march forward fighting in
[24:27] formations to march forward fighting in the streets was chaotic and hundreds
[24:29] the streets was chaotic and hundreds were killed each day as cortes marched
[24:31] were killed each day as cortes marched forward all the while more and more
[24:33] forward all the while more and more allies were joining the fight across the
[24:34] allies were joining the fight across the courseways the exhausted aztecs
[24:36] courseways the exhausted aztecs retreated to their marketplace and
[24:38] retreated to their marketplace and prepared for their last stand which
[24:40] prepared for their last stand which didn't last long as the spanish arrived
[24:42] didn't last long as the spanish arrived in the market they began crushing the
[24:44] in the market they began crushing the remaining aztec warriors aided greatly
[24:46] remaining aztec warriors aided greatly by the tlax gala who were merciless in
[24:48] by the tlax gala who were merciless in attacking their repressors the aztec
[24:50] attacking their repressors the aztec emperor quatmok finally began peace
[24:52] emperor quatmok finally began peace talks with cortes especially after his
[24:54] talks with cortes especially after his ceremonial owl warrior had fallen off a
[24:56] ceremonial owl warrior had fallen off a ledge and disappeared during the fight
[24:58] ledge and disappeared during the fight which was taken to be a bad omen while
[25:00] which was taken to be a bad omen while these peace dogs were failing mock and
[25:02] these peace dogs were failing mock and many of his nobles attempted to escape
[25:03] many of his nobles attempted to escape the city at night on a canoe taking
[25:06] the city at night on a canoe taking their gold with them but the spanish
[25:07] their gold with them but the spanish ships intercepted them and the aztecs
[25:09] ships intercepted them and the aztecs officially surrendered on august 13 1521
[25:17] the fall of tennochitlan and the first
[25:19] the fall of tennochitlan and the first spanish battles on the continent showed
[25:21] spanish battles on the continent showed the power of modern weaponry in the
[25:23] the power of modern weaponry in the americas horses cannons and firearms
[25:26] americas horses cannons and firearms were stunningly powerful and the aztecs
[25:28] were stunningly powerful and the aztecs had no way to counter them during the
[25:29] had no way to counter them during the siege the spanish even built a trebuchet
[25:31] siege the spanish even built a trebuchet which was the first and last time a
[25:33] which was the first and last time a trebuchet was used in the war in the
[25:35] trebuchet was used in the war in the americas because the first projectile it
[25:37] americas because the first projectile it fired went straight up into the air and
[25:39] fired went straight up into the air and went right back down onto the machine
[25:41] went right back down onto the machine breaking it after the dust had settled
[25:43] breaking it after the dust had settled as many as 240 000 people have been
[25:45] as many as 240 000 people have been killed in tennochitlan either from
[25:46] killed in tennochitlan either from combat smallpox or starvation in the
[25:48] combat smallpox or starvation in the subsequent looting of the city aztec
[25:50] subsequent looting of the city aztec culture was destroyed without remorse
[25:52] culture was destroyed without remorse and their gold was melted into ingots to
[25:54] and their gold was melted into ingots to send back to spain survivors of the
[25:56] send back to spain survivors of the attack fled the city in the days
[25:58] attack fled the city in the days following the siege and the aztecs were
[26:00] following the siege and the aztecs were banished from living in their home with
[26:01] banished from living in their home with the aztec empire out of the way the
[26:03] the aztec empire out of the way the spanish with cortez at the helm went on
[26:05] spanish with cortez at the helm went on to continue their conquest of
[26:07] to continue their conquest of mesoamerica and founded the colony of
[26:09] mesoamerica and founded the colony of new spain with its capital being built
[26:11] new spain with its capital being built right on top of the ashes of tano
[26:14] right on top of the ashes of tano chipman this capital would one day be
[26:16] chipman this capital would one day be the foundation for mexico city one of
[26:18] the foundation for mexico city one of the largest cities in the western
[26:19] the largest cities in the western hemisphere to this day
[26:29] you