History of Mexico

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Ancient Mexican civilization, nearly 3000 years old, was shattered in the two short years from 1519 to 1521 by a tiny group of invaders who destroyed the Aztec empire, brought a new religion and reduced the native people to second class citizens and slaves.

The Spaniards had been in the Caribbean since Columbus arrived in 1492, with their main bases on the islands of Hispaniola and Cuba. Realizing that they had not reached the East Indies, they began looking for a passage through the land mass to their west but were distracted by tales of gold, silver and a rich empire there.

Cortes & the Aztecs The Spaniards landed first at Cozumel, off the Yucatan Peninsula, then sailed around the coast to Tabasco, where they defeated some hostile locals and Cortes delivered the first of many lectures to Mexicans on the importance of Christianity and the greatness of King Carlos I of Spain. The locals gave him 20 maidens, among them Dona Marina (La Malinche), who became his interpreter, aide and lover.

The expedition next put in near the present city of Veracruz. In the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, tales of 'towers floating on water,' bearing fair skinned beings, reached Moctezuma , the Aztec god king. Lightning struck a temple, a comet sailed through the night skies and a bird 'with a mirror in its head' was brought to Moctezuma, who saw warriors in it. According to the Aztec calendar, 1519 would see the legendary god king Quetzalcoatl return from the east. Unsure if Cortes really was the god returning, Moctezuma sent messengers to attempt to discourage Cortes from traveling to Tenochtitlan.