What factors enabled Cortes to defeat the Aztecs?

Question

I was wondering how Cortes defeated the Aztecs?

Answer 1

Stronger training and unit cohesion (his men held together when their opponents didn't). Massively better technology and tactics.

Also, it did help that European diseases helped to weaken the population.

Answer 2

While the Spanish did have better technology like guns and steel armor, the deciding factor in conquering the Aztecs was that Cortes had allies. The Aztecs were a tribute empire and had many enemies that were not happy with them, when Cortes came along they jumped at the chance to get revenge on the Aztecs, Cortes only had about 300 guys at most the Aztecs had at least 100,000 strong army. The key to Cortes conquering the Aztecs was allies

Answer 3

Horses and armor made a significant impression on the natives. Cortes and his troops entered into some local conflicts, and made allies of the people whom the Aztecs had conquered. These tribes made up an army almost as large as the Aztec's own.

Then he and his troops were invited into the capital city. King Montezuma welcomed them. Cortes responded by kidnapping Montezuma, and then attacking when disease broke out.

Answer 4

To begin with horses and guns initially gave Cortez and his men the upper hand and after one of the first battles is over gifts are exchanged in an attempt for peace. Cortez and his men are given women; one known as Dona Maria plays a critical role in helping Cortez to understand Aztec religion and myth which he uses against them. Most importantly, he does not correct the Aztec's when they mistaken take him for Quetzalcoatl; their most important God. According to an Aztec myth, the white-faced Quetzacuatl had long ago fled to the east, but would one day return. When the Aztec ruler, Moctezuma II, beheld Cortes and his light-skinned men upon their arrival in Tenochtitlan, he believed them to be emissaries of the great Quetzacuatl himself. The opportunistic Cortes, coached by Malinche - a Spanish-speaking Indian who had become his lover back at the coast - did not attempt to correct him. Cortes returned the emperor's hospitality by taking him hostage. A compliant Moctezuma ordered his people to stand down, and by the time the Aztecs began to resist Cortes had already brought in reinforcements from the coast. The Aztecs disowned their cooperative, captive emperor, who died a prisoner in his own palace. When the Aztecs finally laid siege to the palace, Cortes and his men snuck away in the middle of the night and ran for the coast. On the way, over half his force was killed by the pursuing army, but the survivors returned with thousands of Indian allies to conquer the city a year later.

Answer 5

Horses--which the Mexicas (Aztecs) thought were part of the man.
Armor--which the Aztecs didn't understand
Strange weaponry and military tactics.

Of course, the Aztecs finally figured out that the Spanish were not gods and literally ran them out of town. When the Spanish were able to mount another attempt at conquest, the biggest factor--Disease--had decimated the Aztecs, leaving the Spanish with very few to conquer.

Answer 6

European diseases,the advantage of horses, the hatred of the Aztecs by neighboring tribes, superior military tactics, and finally the false belief the the Cortes was some kind of Messiah.

Answer 7

Greed and might along with the diseases the Spanish brought for good measure. Are we doing your homework for you?

Answer 8

Mainly through disease. Small Pox.

Answer 9

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