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the Tlaxcaltec leaders sought an alliance with them against their traditional enemy, the Aztecs. Thus, despite some internal dissent the Tlaxcaltecs befriended the Spaniards, and Cortés and his men entered the city of Tlaxcallan on September 23.
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Cortés now possessed formidable military backing, and with thousands of Tlaxcaltec warriors he entered Tenochtitlan on November 8, 1519,24 though why he was allowed to do so is not easily explained. The traditional explanation is that Moteuczomah Xocoyotl thought Cortés was the returning god Quetzalcoatl. This or some other supernatural factor, such as the strange astronomical events that allegedly preceded the Spaniards' arrival, may have played a part in Moteuczomah Xocoyotl's reluctance to fight, but their impact is difficult to assess, and they are probably post hoc rationalizations. However, at least three more tangible factors may have contributed to the king's inaction. |
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First, in much of Mesoamerican warfare the perception of power was as effective as the actual force wielded, often more so. Thus a direct attack on a city as mighty as Tenochtitlan was unlikely and unexpected in the absence of some other crisis that could have weakened it internally. Competing city-states and enemy empires were held in abeyance by their real perception of Aztec power, but this perception was completely lost on the Spaniards. Although warned by the Tlaxcaltecs, the Spaniards had little basis for judging. They had fought the Tlaxcaltecs and thus knew of the Indians' skill, but the Spaniards felt themselves to possess superior weapons, doubtless believed themselves to be naturally superior, and were essentially ignorant of the size and power of the forces available to the Aztecs. Consequently, the normal respect and awe Moteuczomah Xocoyotl would have been accorded, even by enemies, was not felt by the Spaniards. Thus the Aztecs' first line of defense against enemy aggressiontheir perceived powerwas ineffective against unknowing outsiders. |
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Second, because of Mesoamerican political and military conventions the Spaniards and their entourage were not treated as an invading army. An attacking army in Mesoamerica did not come unannounced. Whether or not an attacking army was formally preceded by ambassadors, everyone knew a war was in the offing, and the causes for it were frequently known as well. But such was not the case with the Spaniards. There was no reason for war, and their avowed intentions were peaceful. Moreover, since many areas of |
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