Broken Spear, the Author Discusses

¶ … Broken Spear, the author discusses many factors that show that the Aztecs were solely at fault for their own destruction and that the influence and invasions by the Spaniards only played a small part in the destructive events. The Aztec religion was one of the largest factors that contributed immensely to the fall of the Aztec empire. This paper will attempt to explain how religion contributed to the Aztec destruction as explained in the Broken Spear.

When the Spaniards first arrived at the Aztec empire, they were portrayed as gods. The Spaniards came bearing many gifts, talents, and festivals which quickly proved to take control over the indigenous populations. According to the Aztec people, only someone with great control could get and maintain the attention of such a large group of people. Therefore, the Spaniards were viewed as Gods. The Aztec people immediately bowed to the white Spaniards upon their arrival. They celebrated and worshiped the so-called gods by committing human sacrifices. This was viewed by the Spaniards as a very grotesque action and it was because of these human sacrifices that the Spaniards began to hate the Aztec people.

The role of the Aztec leaders and priest with the Gods was very distinct which was also portrayed in the Broken Spears. When the Spaniards arrived, the priest bowed down to their and offered their sacrifices. However, the Spaniards were mainly of the Catholic Religion and did not like the practices and preaching of the Aztec Priest. Being heavily equipped for battle, the Spaniards began killing

Broken Spears 2 the Aztec priest for their beliefs and practices. When the Spanish saw the different type of resources that the Aztecs had, they quickly started taking advantage of the Aztecs weaknesses. The Spanish had more power; they were better equipped than the Aztecs and were far more advanced. The Aztecs' leader Montecuhzoma was a weak leader; he was more of a coward, more concerned with his well being and safety than the safety of his people and kingdom so he quickly surrendered under pressure. This was acceptable to the priest. When the Aztecs surrendered to their Gods, it was an act of honor. However, according to the Broken Spear, this surrender was one of the major factors that contributed to the defeat of the Aztec empire. Soon, the Spanish used surrounding enemy tribes to take over the Aztec lands, and then began to massacre men, women and children. When the Aztec became angry and started to fight back, they were quickly wrecked by the diseases the Spanish brought with them such as small pox and measles. The Spanish were immune to these diseases because they were well-known in Europe and they had been exposed to them for years, but the Aztecs weren't so entire villages were wiped out in just few weeks which cleared the way for the Spanish to entirely conquer and destroy the Aztec empire.

Signs and omens that were created by the Aztec people were also large factors in the demise of the Aztec empire. Before the actual arrival of the Spanish people, the Aztec priest and people believed that their Gods would one day arrive for them. This omen was foretold many years before the actual arrival of the Spanish people. In the Broken Spear, the author mentions that these types

Broken Spears 3 of omens were also factors that contributed to the destruction of the Aztec empire. It was their strong beliefs that these omens, such as the arrival of the Gods would come true that lead them into religious actions and practices which eventually contributed to the failure of the empire. One such omen appeared "Blazing like a great bonfire in the sky. Tell him that we love him well and that our heart is contented. As the Spaniards arrived a Nohohualco and charged at the warriors " (Broken Spear) Everyone was wounded, the toll of death was grievous on both sides. This omen also shows the actual destruction.