Why did Cortés enlist the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help defeat the Aztec?(4 points) Responses Cortés used the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help him fight the Aztec because he wanted them to run his New World territories after he left. Cortés used the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help him fight the Aztec because he wanted them to run his New World territories after he left. The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac could help lure Aztec forces into a false sense of security by offering tribute. The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac could help lure Aztec forces into a false sense of security by offering tribute. Cortés needed their help because he knew that his military technology was not strong enough to defeat the Aztec. Cortés needed their help because he knew that his military technology was not strong enough to defeat the Aztec. The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac were eager to get out from under the self-imposed rule of the Aztec.
Cortés enlisted the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help defeat the Aztec for several reasons:
1. Cortés needed their military assistance: Cortés recognized that his own military technology and forces were not strong enough to conquer the Aztec Empire alone. By enlisting the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac, who had their own armies and warfare tactics, Cortés could bolster his forces and increase his chances of success.
2. The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac had grievances against the Aztec: Both the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac were subjected to Aztec rule and suffered under their dominance. They were eager to get out from under the control of the Aztec Empire and saw an opportunity to fight alongside Cortés to overthrow their oppressors.
3. Strategic alliances: By forming alliances with the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac, Cortés could tap into their knowledge of the Aztec Empire's military strategies, resources, and weaknesses. This information proved invaluable in planning his attacks and exploiting the Aztec's vulnerabilities.
4. Psychological warfare: The Tlaxcalans and the Totonac could help lure Aztec forces into a false sense of security by offering tribute. This could create a perception that Cortés had gained the support and compliance of these native peoples, potentially weakening the morale and unity among the Aztec troops.
Overall, Cortés enlisted the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help defeat the Aztec because he needed their military strength, strategic knowledge, and because their shared grievances against the Aztec Empire created a common enemy that united them in their fight.