“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.”

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

Question
Moctezuma’s statement that the Mexica “were not the aborigines of the country” most likely refers to which of the following developments?

Responses

A.Widespread deadly epidemics before the arrival of the Spanish

The presence of different and complex societies before European contact

C.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

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

Answer 2

The correct answer is B. The presence of different and complex societies before European contact. Moctezuma's statement suggests that the Mexica (Aztecs) acknowledged the existence of other civilizations and cultures in the region prior to their own arrival. This indicates that there were already established societies with complex social and political structures in Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish.