Victors and Vanquished Essay - 1412 Words

Victors and Vanquished The history of the Western hemisphere is full of war and conquest. One of the most significant and defining of those conquests is the downfall of the Mexica/Aztec Empire. While there are many other events to choose from, this one stands out since it was one over one of the largest empires in Central America. It is also important to look at because of the immense cultural impact it had. The story of this takeover reads like a movie script, a small band of Spaniards single handedly takes down the most powerful empire in Central America. It was an epic battle, which unfortunately led to the destruction of a magnificent culture. As in any major historical event there are many underlying themes and storylines that†¦show more content†¦While greed was defiantly a starting point for Cortezs expedition, it was his greed while in Central Mexico that changed the tide of history. Cortezs first encounters with the natives in Central Mexico gave him crucial information about a large wea lthy nation that was further inland. While still on the coast representatives from this nation canoed out to Cortez, which officially started relations between Spain and the Aztecs. Among many things given to the Spaniards during the first few days of contact with the Aztecs was a large chest of gold figures along many other expensive things. This gesture of good will by the Aztecs would eventually lead to their downfall. The moment Cortez started receiving all these wonderful items his mind was most likely made up that he would do whatever it took to plunder every valuable item of the Aztec kingdom. As Cortez gradually moved deeper into Aztec territory he steadily received more gifts from the Aztecs and from other city-states that surrounded Tenochtitlan. Each time Montezuma requested for Cortez and the Spaniards to return back to the coast and conduct meetings and trade from there. However, with each gift received just gave Cortez additional incentive to move towards Tenochtitlan. By the time the Spaniards were in Tenochtitlan the Aztecs saw their true colors and it was too late. A second major theme, which played a very importantShow MoreRelated Victors and Vanquished Essay1402 Words   |  6 PagesVictors and Vanquished   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The history of the Western hemisphere is full of war and conquest. One of the most significant and defining of those conquests is the downfall of the Mexica/Aztec Empire. While there are many other events to choose from, this one stands out since it was one over one of the largest empires in Central America. It is also important to look at because of the immense cultural impact it had. The story of this takeover reads like a movie script, a small band of SpaniardsRead MoreWomen Of Algiers By Pablo Picasso898 Words   |  4 Pagesremorse for hurting others, and lust for control and power over women. This is emphasised in the quote: â€Å"with Pablo there must always be a victor and a vanquished. I could not be satisfied with being a victor, nor, I think, could anyone who is emotionally mature. There was nothing gained by being vanquished either, because with Pablo, the moment you were vanquished he lost all interest.† (Gilot, F, 1964) This shows just how necessary it was for Picasso to feel like he was the one in control over theRead MoreEssay about History At Its Best1616 Words   |  7 Pages in the shortest amount of time. The three books, The Interesting Narrative, by Olaudah Equiano, Victors and Vanquished, by Stuart B. Schwartz, and A Social Contract, by Jean-Jeacques Rousseau, each provide a view of the modern era in their own individual ways. 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The addition of the phrase â€Å"horse and foot† is a reference to the cavalry