Cortes Lands on the Aztecs? Shore

Summary
This lesson explains how the Aztecs were defeated by Cortes.

Objectives
• To be able to explain how Cortes was able to take Montezuma hostage.

• To be able to describe how the Spanish defeated the Aztecs.

• To be able to name some of the key figures of the time.

Suggested Grades
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade

Excerpt
According to legend, the Aztecs believed that a fair-skinned, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl said he would help them if they needed him. Due to their problems with crops, the strange signs they were seeing, and the bickering between the priests, the Aztecs felt that they were sorely in need of Quetzalcoatl?s help.

In 1519, Hernando Cortes, a Spanish explorer, arrived on the Aztecs? shore. After Montezuma?s soldiers saw Cortes, Montezuma sent gifts of clothing, food, and jewelry to Cortes. The Aztecs believed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl, and that he was finally there to help them in their time of need.

Continued...