2. A great quantity of Indian friends Spanish conquest had many natives fighting for them—omitted in painting “Conquista de Mexica por Cortés” Cortés’s army: 250 Spaniards, 5 to 6 Thousand friendly Indians Common for Spaniard armies to be accompanied by Nahua(central Mexican Indian Tribe) during campaigns
3. In Every One of These Provinces and Cities Late 16th Century: natives also sent out letters claiming rights based on participation in the conquest More casualties and deaths on native side Many natives all over Mesoamerica involved in conquest Natives spoke of sufferings from the conquest as much if not more than the Spaniards
4. Trepidation in their hearts & bags on their backs Conquest soldiers were not an army of one nor supported—such as armies back in Spain—but explorers there on their own will Soldiers were also the roles of porters, cooks, guides, spies and interpreters
5. Precedented expansion Patterns of Native-Spanish conquest -alliance -sequential conquests -trade routes -lordship & grants Conclusion: conquest could not have happened without Native alliance
