What was the purpose of Cortés second letter?
The Second letters to Charles V were written by Hernan Cortés of Spain in 1520. The letters were sent to Charles V to justify Cortés actions of attacking the Aztec ‘s against his superiors order. The letters that Cortés wrote details the lifestyle, and culture of the Aztec ‘s and how worshipped pagan gods.
What is the purpose of Cortés letters?
The Third Letter of Relation (Tercera Carta de relación) of Hernán Cortés to the Emperor Carlos V is one of five letters written by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés to the emperor Carlos V, sent with the intention of informing Carlos V of the territories discovered and their conquest; it was signed on 15 May 1522 …
Where does Segunda Carta de Relacion take place?
The second theme was Tenochtitlán itself, and Cortés spends a lot of time simply describing the city. Cortés mentions the huge markets, the massive temples, the incredible palaces, the canals and infrastructure, and then he does something remarkable: he directly compares them to Spain.
What does Cortés admire about the Mexica?
His eyewitness account of the city is one of the few ever written. It comes from a letter that Cortés wrote to his emperor, Charles V, recounting his journey through Aztec Mexico. Cortés’s regard for the city, its commerce and citizens was both frankly admiring and politically astute.
What can you infer about Cortés motives in writing about the wonders of Tenochtitlan and the Aztecs?
Cortes’ Motives ~Cortes wanted to describe the wonders of the city to the king, and impress him with all the rare things in the city.
In what ways did Cortés defeat the Aztecs?
Cortés’s army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city. Cortés’s victory destroyed the Aztec empire, and the Spanish began to consolidate control over what became the colony of New Spain.
How does Cortés describe Tenochtitlan?
Bernal Diaz del Castillo, one of Cortés’ men, describes Tenochtitlán: When we saw all those cities and villages built on water; and the other great towns on dry land, and that straight and level causeway leading to Mexico, we were astounded.
When did Cortes write his letters?
These five letters by the Spanish Conqueror Hernando Cortes were written to the Emperor Charles V of Spain between the years 1519 and 1526.
What is the name of the Aztec capital city?
Tenochtitlan
At the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1521, the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan was among the largest cities in the world, with perhaps as many as 200,000 inhabitants.
How did Cortés justify his actions?
In the early 16th century, Spanish colonies were already well established in the Caribbean islands and they were turning their eyes westward. Showing the relentless ambition which would lead him to success, Cortés defied the governor and sailed anyway, later justifying his actions by appeal to the Spanish Crown.