2. Mesoamerican Conquistadors
in the 16th century
• Cortes led the conquistadors and Montezuma
believed Cortez was the reincarnation of their god
Quetzalcoatl.
• Cortes’ conquest were so successful because of his
help from disease, more advanced weaponry, and
because he obtained very large armies.
• The natives also worked in the Spaniards favor
greatly.
3. Native Help
• The native people helped
the conquistadors in many
ways and made the conquest possible.
• Indian tribes contributed warriors to the Spanish armies
and up to 40,000 indigenous warriors took part in battle
for the Spanish.
• The natives also served the Spanish by guiding them
around, translating, scouting, spying, and they were also
used as messengers.
4. Misconceptions
• The Spanish took all the credit for the conquest but it
would have never been possible without the support
and cooperation from the native Indians.
• The Spanish even took some native soldiers to other
countries to help them conquer it.
• The natives took care of all the sick and wounded.
• Cortes acted as a ruthless ruler in the places he
conquered an used threats and intimidation to keep
the local people scared and under his power.
