Question

Why did the spanish think they must be dreaming when they saw Tenochtitlán?

Answer 1

When the Spanish first saw the city, they thought they must be dreaming because it was larger and more impressive than any Spanish city of the time. Vastly outnumbered, the Spanish conquistador took Aztec emperor Montezuma II hostage and began a siege in Tenochtitlán that the Aztec could not withstand.

Answer 2

Because the city was much better and impressive than the Spanish cities

Further Explanation:

The Spanish armies were amazed at the way the city of Tenochtitlan had been built, for it was far more expansive and impressive than any other Spanish city. The architectural form and structure of the city were quite modern for its times. The Spanish Conquistador had joined alliances with some other political defenders who wanted to take advantage of the weakened economic and political situation of the Aztecs. Thus began a deadly siege of the city, which saw a struggle for power between the Aztecs and the Spanish armies. The Spanish army owing to its superior fighting skills and military tactics were able to lay siege and destroy the city. Also, the defenses of the city were weakened by the deadly diseases introduced by the invaders, which decimated the population. Thus in a way, the Spanish Conquistador had sought for the massive destruction of the Aztec empire.

The Aztecs had a vast empire that was loosely held together by a system of patronage and vassals. The vassal states had several complaints about the overarching influence of Aztec religion and culture over their local culture, and they found a way out from their grasp through the invitation of the Spanish leader Cortes. He initially intended to install the Aztec ruler as a vassal king, but felt it was prudent to directly annex the kingdom with its vast resources. Initially, his victory was for a short span of time, but he recovered the strength of his troops and led an attack on the city, which lasted for ninety-three days. He employed a crucial battle tactic in which he cut off the supplies of the Aztec army and citizens, leaving them with no supplies, and eventually to perish in the wake of hunger and disease. The fall of the Aztec empire paved the way for a New Spanish empire.  

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: The fall of the Aztec Empire

Subject: History

Keywords:

War, empire, diplomacy, culture, religion, Aztec empire, disease, supplies, Spanish Conquistador