Title: Conquest of Aztec & Inca - Turning Points For Humanity
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Content: Conquest of Aztec & Inca - Turning Points For Humanity




Spanish Conquest of the Inca & Aztec Empires in the Americas
Eun Young Shin
Background
In order to find a faster and safer route to Asia, Columbus set sail to the west and unintentionally came across the "New World" in 1492. The discovery of this land spread throughout Europe and a scramble for land, resources, and wealth started a race to take over the Americas. Turning Point
The Spanish gained information about the wealthy Aztecs in central Mexico and with the hope of gaining more wealth, the Spanish sent out Hernan Cortés and 600 armed men from Cuba to Mexico in 1519. [ 1] Cortés presented himself to the emperor of the Aztec Empire, Montezuma II, as a representative ambassador of a king from another part of the world. [ 2] For the first few days the Aztecs sent out gifts to the Spanish men of food and gold but a growing restlessness urged them to start their seizure of the empire. Cortés and a number of his men met with Montezuma II and ordered him come to their quarters as a prisoner. In the beginning the emperor refused to follow but the threat to endanger his life made Montezuma II to change his mind and follow Cortés. [ 3] After about three weeks, the emperor was released and taken back to his own quarters to continue with his rule over the Aztecs, but the Spanish had influence over him. The main problem was in the religion and talks to convert Montezuma II to Christianity increased tensions between the two groups. Soon, the Spanish men led an attack on the empire, first killing Montezuma II and other nobles: "