What explains the Spanish's remarkable success in subjugation the New World civilizations?

Question

c. 1513 - This needs analyzation. anyone a history expert?

Answer 1

The Spanish had one big advantage over the Indian civilizations of the New World, namely use of steel for personal armor and guns. They also had horses, which the native population had never seen and were frightened of. They were an highly organized group, and although they were numerically outnumbered by the various Indian groups they overcame, the Indians were not as organized or loyal to any one person who could coordinate their defenses. The Spanish also brought with them disease, which did a great deal to decimate the populations they encountered. While the Spaniards had acquired either resistance to or immunity to the diseases, such as small pox, the Indians had none of either. The Spaniards were able to basically take over by sheer force, use of the technology available to them, and using the effects of disease to their advantage. In a few cases, they were also able to use the Indians religious superstitions to their advantage as well, and did not hesitate to do so. They had the upper hand practically from the first landings, and made certain they maintained it- brutally if needed. The Indians themselves saw the Spaniards as a means of getting even with old enemies, and often assisted the Spaniards- who didn't have any qualms about using the information or assistance. The Indians learned very quickly that those who cooperated lived, and those who did not would be eliminated- and most chose cooperation.

Answer 2

I can tell you about how Mexico was conquered.

The aztecs, as the superpower among the natives in Mesopotamia, had many enemies. They used to attack other civilizations, take children and women from them to sacrifice them to their gods. The natives were very upset with the aztecs. This made it easier for the spaniards to defeat the aztecs. We´ll get to that in just a moment.

According to the prophecies of the aztecs, there was a god who promised to return someday as a human being to Tenochtitlan (the aztec city). When the spaniards arrived to Tenochtitlan, the emperor Moctezuma thought Hernan Cortés --who was heading the spanish army-- was the god they had been waiting for; so they were welcomed. Later on, Moctezuma would be ignored by his people for what he did.

There was a native woman who had learned spanish, and she was given to Hernan Cortés as a translator. This woman's name was Malinche, and it is thought that she betrayed his people.

The spanish had adventages in military weapons. They had guns, horses, wore a stronger armor, and were well trained for war. The aztecs didn´t have guns either horses, but they were experts for war too. Besides, the aztecs outnumbered the spaniards. Cortés´army had about five hundred men, and were defeated once by the aztec army. After his defeating, Cortés made alliances with the other civilizations who also wanted to defeat the aztecs. Cortés´army grew a lot due to the alliances he made. After surrounding Tenochtitlan for several days, the city fell to the spaniards.

There´s something more which I think is going to be very helpful. The spaniards brought in a disease called chicken pox. Since the aztecs had no defence for this disease, many began to die. Historians say that the fall of Mesopotamia to the Spanish rule is due to these things: the bad relationship among the civilizations, which led to the alliance with the spaniards; warfare technology, and diseases brought in by the spaniards.

Hope this might help. There´s so much to tell yet, but I just tried to make it ¨short¨.

Well, take care; God bless you!