Question

"I said everything to them I could to divert them from their idolatries, and draw them to a knowledge of God our Lord. Moctezuma replied, the others assenting to what he said, that they
had already informed me they were not the aborigines of the country, but that their ancestors had emigrated to it many years ago, and they fully believed that after so long an absence
from their native land, they might have fallen into some errors; that I having more recently arrived must know better than themselves what they ought to believe; and that if I would
instruct them in these matters, and make them understand the true faith, they would follow my directions, as being for the best. Afterwards, Moctezuma and many of the principal
citizens remained with me until I had removed the idols, purified the chapels, and placed the images in them, manifesting apparent pleasure."
Letter from Hernán Cortés to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, on his interaction with the Mexica (Aztecs), 1520
Moctezuma's statement that the Mexica "were not the aborigines of the country" most likely refers to which of the following developments?
A
Widespread deadly epidemics before the arrival of the Spanish
B
The presence of different and complex societies before European contact
с
Use of the encomienda system by the Mexica before the arrival of the Spanish
D
The development of African slavery in the Spanish colonies

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. The presence of different and complex societies before European contact

Explanation:

Before Europeans discovered and colonized the American continent, there were multiple native tribes in most of the regions of the continent, including Mexico territory. One of these societies was the Aztec Empire that was led by Moctezuma when the Spanish colonizer Hernán Cortés and his men arrived in this territory. Moreover, it is known before the colonization many native communities formed complex societies and experienced phenomena such as conflicts between tribes, migration, among others.

In this context, the explanation of Moctezuma to Cortés about their people not being "aborigines" most likely refers that before the arrival of Cortés there were different complex societies and the Mexicans were not the first ones to live in that region or they likely originated in a different region. This makes B the correct answer.