Cortes forms alliances with indigenous tribes from "summary" of The Conquest of Mexico by William Hickling Prescott
In his account of the conquest of Mexico, William Hickling Prescott describes how Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, successfully formed alliances with various indigenous tribes in order to achieve his goal of defeating the Aztec empire. Cortes recognized the importance of gaining the support of the native peoples who inhabited the region. He understood that he could not conquer the powerful Aztecs on his own and needed to enlist the help of other indigenous groups who had grievances against the Aztec rulers. Through a combination of diplomacy, intimidation, and promises of wealth and power, Cortes was able to forge alliances with tribes such as the Tlaxcalans, Totonacs, and Tlapanecs. These tribes provided Cortes with valuable resources, information, and most importantly, thousands of warriors to bolster his army. The Tlaxcalans, in particular, played a crucial role in Cortes's campaign against the Aztecs. Despite their initial hostility towards the Spanish invaders, Cortes was able to win them over through a combination of military victories and political maneuvering. The Tlaxcalans became loyal allies of Cortes and fought alongside his forces in the epic battle for the city of Tenochtitlan. By forming alliances with indigenous tribes, Cortes was able to overcome the odds and achieve his ultimate objective of conquering the Aztec empire. His ability to build relationships with diverse groups of people, despite vast cultural and linguistic differences, highlights his skill as a leader and strategist. Cortes's success in forming these alliances was a key factor in the eventual downfall of the Aztec civilization.
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