Chapter Review: How Did Cortez Conquer the Aztecs?

Unsolved Mysteries of American History by Paul Aron, Barnes and Noble Books, New York, 1997.
This chapter gives a pretty concise of the two-year struggle in which the Aztecs were defeated.  Hernan Cortez took his men on a non-sanctioned mission to Mexico to take the Aztec treasure.  On the way to the Aztec capitol city, Tenochtitlan, a city built in the middle of a lake, the gather allies from amongst those native indigenous people who were controlled by the Aztec, but historically were enemies.  Sometimes this involved small skirmishes, but by the time the Spanish force of 600 men arrived, they had numerous allies supporting them.  Add to this the confusion Montezuma had over the appearance of White forces.  The were confused because they had a legend about a White god returning to take his place as ruler.  This was enough to give Cortez a break, and the took Montezuma captive.  Controlling the ruler, the Spanish controlled the Aztecs, until the Aztecs became disillusioned with Montezuma.  They confronted him, and Montezuma attempted to calm him.  Instead the Aztecs started firing at him, and whether Montezuma was killed by the Aztecs, or the Spanish is not known, but he was of no further use to the Aztecs.  However without some kind of control, the Spanish were forced out of the city, suffering heavy casualties.  Many of the Spanish drowned with their pockets heavy with gold.  As they retreated they were met with another convoy of Spanish, sent by the Cuban governor to capture Cortez.  However Cortez and his men were able to kill the leader and instantly had many new recruits to continue their battle against the Aztecs.  They returned, and with their allies were able to take the city again, fighting house to house.  
This chapter does not mention the story about burning the boats presented by Andy Andrews.  In other study it appears this story is basically true.  However their are mixed ideas with regards to motive.  Cortez did spend considerable time with his men on the beach motivating them.  However some of the men were determine to return to Cuba as the new the mission was illegitimate.  It is not necessary that the boats were burned, but they were destroyed.  

Book Review: Native American Prophecies

Native American Prophecies: Examining the History, Wisdom and Starling Predictions of Visionary Native Americans by Scott Peterson, Paragon House, New York, 1990.

The author of this book has an agenda, and at lease he admits this agenda upfront in the preface.  “I have also been keenly aware that many important trends that have been building for generations appear to be coming to a head during my lifetime.  None of these are so critical to our future than what we human beings are doing to the earth.”  The author is hoping to write about environmentalism, and put that inside a book of Native American Prophecies.  He further writes in the chapter about the Mayans, “The most compelling evidence of Mayan influence, however, is the shared belief among all Native Americans of the sacredness of creation itself.  NO other culture that ever existed on earth has surpassed the native American reverence for nature.”  Some pretty bold statements.  First the influence of the Mayan may not  be so prevalent, and the common beliefs could come from some other party; perhaps predating the Mayan.  And then to say no other culture.  I am sure he is not familiar with every culture that has ever lived. 

The book leads eventually to his talking about Sun Bear, and environmental Native American prophet who has established a group of like minded individuals, Native Americans and others, and fostered in it a religion to “save the earth.”  The author quotes one critic, Professor Ward Churchill (wasn’t he cheering on the terrorists on 9-11) who said of Sun Bear, “selling of ersatz sweat lodge and medicine wheel ceremonies to anyone who wants to play Indian for a day and can afford the price of admission.”

In the end, my thoughts, are that this issue of environmentalism may be over blown.  I consider myself a conservationist.  We must do our best to conserve the planet, while also making way for people to live and prosper.  The author makes sure people’s opinions about President Reagan and George Bush (1^st) are known, in terms of environmental issues.  Al Gore and his mold have taken over this movement with the purpose of making money off of the sacrifice of others.  I am for clean-up days and dong our best to making our planet habitable for all, while at the same time making decisions to prosper us all as well.  I think we have gone a bit over the top at times.

Book Review: The Aztecs

This is a children's book.  The Aztecs: History Opens Windows, Jane Shuter, Heinemann Library, Chicago, 2009, 

This book gives a generalized look at the Aztec history, and their lifestyle.  However it would not be considered an archeological book.  It is mostly based on pictures, and short bits of information.  The Aztec had early periods as early as 1200, but did not come to prominence until the 1400s.  They would join alliances to gain power, and if unable to do this would go to war with other peoples.  When the Spaniards invaded in 1519 Montezuma ruled a kingdom of over one million people which extended through much of Southern Mexico.

The book gives a very idea of the social hierarchy with workers and slaves at the bottom of the structure.  The Aztec made many prominent pyramids for worship.  These were high mounds, with a building on top of the mound.  IN this way they could get closer to the gods.  They believed in giving the gods blood to appease them.  This included human sacrifice.  Quetzalcoatl did not believe in sacrifice.  They had calculated he would return to visit them in 1519. 

The Aztec cities were centered around the temples.  Their people were good farmers.  Their main city was built over the top of a lake, with reeds and soil being placed over the top of the shallow lake, making areas for planting crowds, which were surrounded by water.  The people worked hard and played games.  Some games were for everyone, and others only for the upper class and played at festivals.  They had constructed large arenas for hoops for a game similar to basketball.  They also danced and enjoyed music.  Many of their instruments were destroyed by the Spaniards in an effort to thwart their religion.  They also had sophisticated crafts, using jewelry and gold.  Craftsmen were highly regarded.  They had a written language of hieroglyphics.  They had a calendar based on 18 months of 20 days.  Each month had a god and a festival.  However the 5 days not included on the calendar were unlucky days.

Their demise came with the coming of the Spaniards, who came searching for gold they had heard of.  Montezuma was confused, but greeted Cortez as a god.  By the time the realized he was no god, it was too late and the Aztec succumbed to more sophisticated weaponry and men on horses.