What was the result of Cortes’s defeat of the Aztecs? Select all that apply.
(1 point)
The Spanish thought it brought them more wealth and power.
The Spanish thought it brought them more wealth and power.
Cortes had lost so many soldiers in the victory that he had to wait several months for more to arrive from Spain.
Cortes had lost so many soldiers in the victory that he had to wait several months for more to arrive from Spain.
The Spanish saw it as proof that they were superior to Native Americans.
The Spanish saw it as proof that they were superior to Native Americans.
The Spanish earned the respect of Native Americans.
The Spanish thought it brought them more wealth and power.
The Spanish saw it as proof that they were superior to Native Americans.
Which of the following were reasons the Spanish wanted to colonize the New World? Select all that apply.
(1 point)
Responses
to seek wealth
to seek wealth
to enter the fur trade
to enter the fur trade
to spread Christianity
to spread Christianity
to find new medicines
to seek wealth
to enter the fur trade
to spread Christianity
The correct options are:
- The Spanish thought it brought them more wealth and power.
- Cortes had lost so many soldiers in the victory that he had to wait several months for more to arrive from Spain.
- The Spanish saw it as proof that they were superior to Native Americans.
The correct answers are:
- The Spanish thought it brought them more wealth and power.
- Cortes had lost so many soldiers in the victory that he had to wait several months for more to arrive from Spain.
- The Spanish saw it as proof that they were superior to Native Americans.
To arrive at the correct answers, we need to understand the historical context of Cortes's defeat of the Aztecs. When Hernán Cortes and his Spanish forces conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521, it had several consequences.
First, the Spanish believed that the defeat brought them more wealth and power. The defeated Aztec Empire was known for its abundant gold and other precious resources, which the Spanish sought to exploit. They saw the conquest as an opportunity to enrich themselves and expand their empire.
Second, Cortes did lose a significant number of soldiers in the victory. The conquest of the Aztecs was a challenging and costly endeavor. Many Spanish soldiers died from battles, diseases, and other hardships. As a result, Cortes had to wait for several months for reinforcements to arrive from Spain to strengthen his forces.
Third, the Spanish saw their victory as proof of their superiority over the Native Americans. The conquistadors, driven by a combination of religious zeal, glory-seeking, and a sense of superiority, believed that their triumph over the technologically advanced Aztecs demonstrated their cultural and racial superiority. This belief in superiority played a significant role in justifying the subsequent colonization of the Americas and the mistreatment of indigenous populations.
On the other hand, the statement "The Spanish earned the respect of Native Americans" is incorrect. The conquest of the Aztecs and subsequent colonization led to the oppression, exploitation, and decimation of native populations. It resulted in the loss of land, destruction of cultures, and widespread mistreatment of indigenous peoples. Therefore, the Spanish did not earn the respect of Native Americans through the defeat of the Aztecs.