How did the Spanish ultimately take control of the Inca and the Aztec empires?
The Spanish were ultimately able to take control of the Inca and Aztec empires through a combination of military superiority, strategic alliances with indigenous groups, and diseases that decimated the native populations.
In the case of the Aztec empire, the Spanish under the leadership of Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519. Initially, they were seen as allies by some indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs, such as the Tlaxcalans. Cortés and his small army took advantage of these alliances and used them to gather allies and information about the Aztecs. They also capitalized on the belief among some indigenous people that they were gods or mythical figures prophesied to return.
Cortés and his forces, despite being heavily outnumbered, launched a series of military expeditions and campaigns against the Aztecs. They utilized advanced weaponry such as muskets, cannons, and horses, which the indigenous people had never encountered before. They also exploited the internal divisions within the empire, as many indigenous groups were discontent and resentful of Aztec rule. With the assistance of their indigenous allies, the Spanish were able to capture their emperor, Moctezuma II, and essentially held him hostage in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.
However, during a rebellion in the city in 1520, known as the "Noche Triste" (Sad Night), the Spanish were temporarily expelled from Tenochtitlan. They regrouped and returned with a larger force in 1521, laying siege to the city for months. The Aztecs, weakened by conflict, famine, and smallpox (introduced by the Spanish), ultimately succumbed to Spanish control. Tenochtitlan was destroyed, and the Spanish established Mexico City on its ruins, effectively ending Aztec dominance.
Similarly, in the case of the Inca empire, the Spanish under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrived in 1532. They utilized a similar strategy of exploiting existing divisions within the empire. Pizarro took advantage of a civil war between the two sons of the deceased Inca ruler Huayna Capac, Atahualpa and Huáscar. He forged alliances with indigenous groups opposed to the Incas, such as the enemies of Atahualpa.
Pizarro captured Atahualpa during a meeting, despite being heavily outnumbered. The Spanish held him captive and demanded a huge ransom in gold and silver. Although Atahualpa fulfilled the ransom, the Spanish, in an act of deception and betrayal, accused him of treason and executed him. This event struck a severe blow to Inca resistance and caused divisions among the Inca nobility.
With their leader gone, the Inca empire faced internal struggles and its infrastructure weakened. Furthermore, diseases such as smallpox, introduced by the Spanish, devastated the native population. Pizarro and his forces took advantage of these circumstances, launching further military campaigns. In 1533, they captured the Inca capital of Cusco, effectively ending Inca dominance.
Overall, the Spanish were able to take control of the Inca and Aztec empires by leveraging their military superiority, forming alliances with indigenous groups opposed to Incan and Aztec rule, exploiting internal divisions within the empires, and benefitting from diseases that decimated the native populations.