Why did Cortés enlist the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac to help defeat the Aztec?
Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, enlisted the Tlaxcalans and the Totonac tribes to help him defeat the Aztec Empire for a few reasons:
1. Military Advantage: Cortés realized that he needed additional manpower and local support to overcome the powerful Aztec Empire. The Tlaxcalans, who had long been enemies of the Aztecs, were fierce warriors with a strong military tradition. By forming an alliance with them, Cortés gained access to their military expertise, resources, and a better chance of success in battles against the Aztecs. The Totonac tribe, located near the Veracruz region, also had grievances against the Aztecs and their leader, Moctezuma II.
2. Cultural Support: The Tlaxcalans and Totonacs shared a common desire to overthrow the oppressive Aztec rule. The Aztecs had subjugated and oppressed many indigenous peoples, including the Tlaxcalans and the Totonacs. Cortés capitalized on this shared sense of resentment and offered his alliance as a means of freeing them from Aztec domination. By joining forces with Cortés, these native groups sought to weaken and ultimately overthrow the Aztec Empire.
3. Religious Factors: The Spanish conquistadors, including Cortés, were motivated by their desire to spread Christianity. The Tlaxcalans and the Totonacs, who practiced polytheistic religions, were initially open to the idea of adopting a new religion that challenged the dominance of the Aztec religious system. Cortés used this religious dimension to gain the support of these native groups by presenting Christianity as an alternative belief system.
4. Opportunism: Some historians argue that the Tlaxcalans and the Totonacs joined Cortés simply out of self-interest and pragmatism. They may have viewed the Spanish as a powerful force that could help them overthrow the Aztecs and gain independence. By siding with Cortés, they believed they could improve their own standing and secure favorable outcomes for their own tribes.
Overall, Cortés strategically enlisted the support of the Tlaxcalans and the Totonacs due to their military capabilities, shared resentment against the Aztecs, potential for religious conversion, and their opportunistic interests in gaining power and independence.