•How did the introduction of diseases by the Europeans affect the Spanish conquest of the Aztec? (1 point)
• Although diseases weakened forces on both sides considerably, deaths from illness were few.
• The spread of disease slowed the progression of battles between the Spaniards and the Aztec.
• After Aztec forces were weakened by disease, they joined with the Totonac and Tlaxcalans to fight against the Spaniards.
• Indigenous Americans had not been exposed to the diseases before and their immune systems could not tolerate the illnesses, benefiting the Spanish forces.
• The spread of disease slowed the progression of battles between the Spaniards and the Aztec.
The introduction of diseases by Europeans had a significant impact on the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. One major effect was that the spread of diseases like smallpox, measles, and typhus weakened both the Aztec forces and the Spanish conquistadors. Many warriors and civilians from both sides fell ill and died, leading to a decrease in their fighting capabilities.
However, it is important to note that deaths from illnesses were relatively low among the Spanish due to their prior exposure to these diseases. On the other hand, the indigenous Americans had never encountered these diseases before, so their immune systems were not equipped to fight them off. This lack of immunity greatly benefited the Spanish forces as they were less affected by the diseases compared to the Aztec warriors and civilians.
As a result of the devastating impact of diseases on the Aztec population, their military strength was significantly weakened. This allowed the Spanish conquistadors to make alliances with other indigenous groups, such as the Totonac and Tlaxcalans, who had suffered similar losses from the diseases. Together, they formed a formidable coalition against the Aztecs, ultimately leading to their downfall.
In summary, the introduction of diseases by the Europeans had a profound impact on the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. While deaths from illness were relatively low among the Spanish, the indigenous population suffered greatly due to their lack of immunity. This weakened the Aztec forces, slowed the progression of battles, and allowed the Spaniards to form alliances with other indigenous groups to defeat the Aztecs.