The capture of Tenochtitlan and the growth of the Spanish Empire.
The capture of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec kingdom, was hugely important for the growth of the Spanish Empire, for many reasons.
First of all, the capture of the great city signalled the end of the mighty Aztec Empire. Larger than any European city at the time, Tenochtitlan was at the heart of the Mexican mainland, which the Spanish conquistadors were eager to conquer and claim for Spain, as well as to extend their own wealth, power and prestige. In addition, it was also the capital of the Aztec Empire. Whilst land in the New World had been found and conquered, and natives made subject to Spanish rule, the Spanish had not faced a civilization and empire to match their own. Therefore, the capture of Tenochtitlan was highly significant as it signalled the might, determination and power of Spain who had, in the figure of Herman Cortes, advanced to the point where it now had conquered an empire, despite the Spanish being outnumbered by the Aztecs.
As a consequence, the capture of Tenochtitlan also increased Spanish power and control in Mexico. This had begun to happen when Montezuma, the emperor of the Aztecs, had fallen under Spanish control and was used by the Spainards as a puppet ruler. As a result, their use of Montezuma in this way led to a rebellion, which resulted in the death of Montezuma at the hands of the Aztecs.
Consequently, when Tenochtitlan was captured, the Aztecs were without a leader and surviving Aztecs and natives had no choice but to submit to Spanish rule. In addition, the capture of Tenochtitlan meant that the mainland now belonged to Spain. Consequently, the Aztec Empire was renamed “New Spain” and, furthermore, Cortes was given the title of governor and captain-general of New Spain, signifying the expansion of Spanish power and control in Mexico.
Finally, the capture of Tenochtitlan was further important as it provided the Spanish with the opportunity to achieve a crucial aim of New World exploration – the spread of Christianity. The Aztecs were polythestic, worshipping many different gods, often associated with nature, and indulging in human sacrifices to appease their gods. Furthermore, some of the Aztecs believed that the Spainards themselves were gods, incarnations of Quetzcoatl, who had been prophesised to return that same year from beyond from the sea.
Consequently, the Spanish set about replacing the Aztec gods with the teaching of Christianity – that one God had sacrificed his own son to save mankind. Whilst not all elements of the Aztec civilization were eradicated by the Spanish, Christianity spread throughout New Spain and became the dominant religion of Mexico, where it continues to this day.
Therefore, the capture of Tenochtitlan provided the Spanish with a platform to establish Christianity within the country, further underlining its importance to the growth of the Spanish Empire. It marked the fall of the Aztec Empire, consequently allowing Spain to expand their power and control in Mexico, which was further consolidated through the spreading of Christianity through New Spain.
