Compare And Contrast The Spanish Over The Aztec And Inka Empires

The remarkable feat of contouring the Aztec and Inka empires were persuaded by the Spanish in the 16th Century. Three key foundations affected the outcome of these conquests. Religious passion and belief in a higher order was one key component to the Spanish success. Another invaluable factor was help from indigenous allies. Finally, the spread of small pox was crucial in weakening the mighty Empires. These three dynamics cemented victory for the Spanish over the Aztec and Inka empires. Religious pride and the Native American’s belief in gods proved to be a pivotal advantage for the Spanish. During the expulsion of the Muslim infidels in Spain, the Spanish conquistadors fought for their monarchs, and for the Church. Rebecca Earle described the relation between the conquest of Spain and the Americas, “the conquests of the Indians began when those of the Moors had finished, so that Spaniards should always be battling against infidels.” The Spanish not only fought for the crown but also to rid the world of infidels. Conquistadors thought God would lead them to triumph over the Native Americans; “the Spanish believed they were inherently

Cortez and his army got driven out of Tenochtitlan on the Night of Sorrow. After months of preparation, they returned to capture the Aztec capital. When Cortez returned, he found the Aztec riddled by disease, and ultimately an easier opponent since the Aztec defenses were crippled. Burkholder said, “Previously unknown to the Mesoamerican population, smallpox devastated it… Probably many more Indians died in the epidemic than from wounds received in battle.” Without the devastating effects of smallpox, Cortez would have had a much more formidable defense and likely would have lasted much longer in the siege of the city. Since much of the population was sick and dying, the Aztec could not fend off the Spanish for more than two