Cortes' Strategies

At the beginning of the transatlantic trips by water of Columbus and other travelers in 1490, Spaniards created colonies in the Caribbean. After the first Spanish voyage and settlement to Santo Domingo, on Espanola Island, Cuba became the basis for several exploratory expeditions in 1510. In 1519 the expedition was led by Hernando Cortes. Cortes and his people wanted to gain the profit rather than to spread the Christianity. That is why the Spaniards under the rule of Cortes started the war against the Mexico and their allies on the way to Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

It is obvious that the Spanish people were in the better situation than their enemy. The Spaniards had steel, gunpowder and horses and thus, they had got the great military advantages. Swords, helmets and armor were a better weapon than bows, arrows and spear throwers. It was impossible to stop the horsemen with lances as they fought for many hours. Mesoamericans suffered great loses while the Spaniards had got only minor injuries. The guns were used mainly in the investment of the town. Besides, the native inhabitants took the captives while the Spaniards killed their enemies in the battle.

Cortes made allies of the Indian communities such as the Tlaxcalans who were the enemies of the Mexico. He communicated with them offering the victory over their enemies and other advantages such as products, gunpowder, and armor. The Indian communities did not trust him and it was not easy to overcome their reluctance. Nevertheless, Cortes was brave and strong and he was not afraid of them. This very quality, his courage and bravery impressed these people who started trusted him. This strategy helped the Spaniards in the battle.

To the Indians as a mass Cortes was kind. He recognized that their preservation would give eventual prosperity for the Spaniards, provided the Indians gradually accepted European ideas. Therefore he considered the Church as the major instrument for the education of the Indian. In comparison to Columbus attempts to "Pacify" the Indians of Hispaniola Cortes led the peaceful tactics viewing the death of Indians as a tragedy, considering they could help the Spanish crown tap the resources of the land.

Also the European invaders brought the diseases such as the smallpox that Mesoamericans were not familiar with. The disease killed many people and weakened the Mexica. This became the crucial factor that allowed the Spaniards to win the battle. This demographic disaster reduced the population by as much as 90 percent. All these advantages gave them the possibility to break the resistance of the opponents and the Spaniards defeated the Mexica. And finally, the European invaders founded their own capital city of the Mexico. Some time latter the Spanish presence in Mesoamerica became a usual thing. Cortes spread the colonial control all over the territory. The central Mexican valley and especially the Mexico City was the most important Spanish settlement in Mesoamerica.