A Spanish/Mexican Culture Presentation

By Salvador Lopez

9th -10th Grade Spanish 1 & Spanish 2

THE FALL OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE

MAIN SLIDE

The MexicasMap of Aztec Conquest

sSpanish ConquestHernan CortesSpanish AdvantagesAztec MistakesNoche Triste/Sad NightThe End of an EmpireKey Points that lead to

the FallResourcesAbout Me

In this presentation, I will give you a brief history of the Aztec civilization and how their empire disappeared. There is many theories on how this took place, I will try to give you some of the more popular beliefs on how this occurred. QUIT

THE MEXICAS The Aztecs were originally called;

Mexicas. The Aztecs believed in many gods,

including a sun god. In order to please their gods, they would sacrifice prisoners of war. War was indispensable in order for their gods to live. This is how the justified their conquests thru out Mexico.

Náhuatl was their main language. Over 1 million people today still speak Nahuatl in certain parts of Mexico. Especially the more southern parts.

The Mexicas lived in a city called Tenochitlan, which today is the capital of Mexico. It is now called Mexico City.

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MAP OF AZTEC CONQUESTS

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SPANISH CONQUEST

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Hernán CortesWas a Spanish

conquistador (conqueror) who arrived in the Mexican peninsula on March 4, 1519. He and his men arrived on the state that is known today as Veracruz.

Generally, the initial meetings between the Spanish and Aztecs were peaceful.

After observing the new culture, Cortes takes charge of the natives and demands they change their beliefs to that of the Catholic Church.

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SPANISH ADVANTAGESFire ArmsHorsesJerónimo de Aguilar – a

Spanish priest, had arrived in Mexico by accident and knew the native dialect. He was able to translate for Cortes and his men.

La Malinche – women native that helped Cortes better understand the culture. She later had a child with Cortes.

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AZTEC MISTAKESMoctezuma – an Aztec

emperor, was foolish and believed Cortes was a good man. He gave Cortes gold and other riches.

Many Aztecs thought that Cortes and his men were gods due to the boats, horses, and fire arms they had never seen before.

Cortes took Moctezuma captive in his own temple.

Many tribes that fallen to the Aztecs, joined the Spanish army to help defeat the Aztecs.

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“Noche Triste” or “Sad Night In April of 1520, Cortes went

back to the coast to battle a Spanish military group sent from Cuba to stop his conquering of Mexico. He beat the military group and had the surviving men join his army.

While Cortes is on the coast, one of his lieutenants leads the Spanish army into the massacre of many Aztecs, causing rebellion by the locals.

The battle ended with Cortes retreating his men out of Tenochtitlan and back to the coast.

More than 800 Spaniards were killed.

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THE END OF AN EMPIRE

On August 13, 1521, Cortes returned to Tenochitlan with more men. The last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc, surrenders.

The Aztec empire disappears and Cortes claims the area for Spain, renaming it Mexico. Cortes personally governed Mexico from 1521 to 1524.

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KEY POINTS THAT LEAD TO THE FALL OF AN EMPIRE

THE SACRIFICES– Killing thousands of people is simple not good for a civilization. They sacrificed so many people that they’re own neighbors feared them. Many that were related to those that were sacrificed, later joined the Spanish army.

RELIGION– In the beginning, many of the Aztecs thought the Spaniards were gods. They also did not kill many of the Spaniards during battle, hoping to sacrificed them to their gods.

SICKNESS – In one of the Spanish ships, there was a slave with small pox. One of Cortes’ men fell ill. In one of the battles with the Aztecs, some of the Aztec soldiers fell ill with small pox, causing many deaths. It is believed that 25% of the Aztec population died of small pox. l

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RESOURCEShttp://www.aztec-history.com/fall-of-the-azt

ec-empire.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztechttp://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan

.asp?id=446#LESSON1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hern

%C3%A1n_Cort%C3%A9sYOU TUBE CLIP:http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ROdzP91VrNU

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR I am Grand Valley State

University student and hope to Graduate in 2010. I am a Spanish Major with a minor in Secondary education and Public Administration. I was born in Salinas, California but have lived in Grand Rapids, MI for 8 years. My family originates from Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico. I grew up speaking Spanish.

Send me an email.

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