Victors and Vanquished: Spanish and Nahua Views of the Conquest of Mexico (The Bedford Series in History and Culture)

Using excerpts primarily drawn from Bernal Diaz's 1632 account of the Spanish victory and from testimonies - many recently uncovered - of indigenous Nahua survivors gathered by Bernardino de Sahagun, Victors and Vanquished clearly demonstrates how personal interests, class and ethnic biases, and political considerations can influence interpretation of events. A substantial introduction is followed by 9 chronological sections that illuminate the major events and personalities in this powerful historical episode and reveal the changing attitudes toward European expansionism. In 1519 Hernan Cortes And A Small Band Of Spanish Conquistadors Overthrew The Mighty Mexican Empire Of The Aztecs. Using Excerpts Primarily Drawn From Bernal Diaz's 1632 Account Of The Spanish Victory And Testimonies - Many Recently Uncovered - Of Indigenous Nahua Survivors, Victors And Vanquished Clearly Demonstrates How Personal Interests, Class And Ethnic Biases, And Political Considerations Influenced The Interpretation Of These Momentous Events.--jacket. Introduction: Civilizations In Conflict -- A Long Tradition: The Indigenous Peoples Of Mesoamerica -- Tenochtitlan: The Foundation Of Heaven -- Mexica Civilization And Society -- Renaissance Conquerors -- The Spanish Sources -- The Indigenous Historical Traditions -- The Documents -- Forebodings And Omens -- Fray Bernardino De Sahagun, From The Florentine Codex -- Fray Martin De Jesus De La Coruna, Popular Auguries And Prophetic Dreams -- Diego Duran, From The History Of The Indies Of New Spain -- Preparations -- Bernal Diaz, From The True History Of The Conquest Of New Spain -- Hernan Cortes, Letters To Charles V -- Encounters -- Hernan Cortes, Letter To Charles V -- Bernal Diaz, From The True History Of The Conquest Of New Spain -- Fray Bernardino De Sahagun, From The Florentine Codex -- The March Inland: Tlaxcala And Cholula -- Bernal Diaz, From The True History Of The Conquest Of New Spain -- Andres De Tapia, Another Spanish View Of The Cholula Massacre -- Fray Bernardino De Sahagun, From The Florentine Codex -- From The Lienzo De Tlaxcala -- Tenochtitlan -- Fray Bernardino De Sahagun, From The Florentine Codex -- Bernal Diaz, From The True History Of The Conquest Of New Spain -- Things Fall Apart: Toxcatl And The Noche Triste -- Francisco Lopez De Gomara, From Istoria De La Conquista De Mexico -- From The Florentine Codex And The Codex Aubin -- Bernal Diaz, From The True History Of The Conquest Of New Spain -- Fray Bernardino De Sahagun, From The Florentine Codex -- The Siege And Fall Of Tenochtitlan -- From Chronicles Of Michoacan. [edited With An Introduction By] Stuart B. Scwhartz. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 257-259) And Index. Cover 1 Title 2 Copyright 3 Foreword 4 Preface 6 NOTE ON SOURCES AND CONVENTIONS USED 10 Contents 12 LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS 16 PART ONE Introduction: Civilizations in Conflict 18 A Long Tradition: The Indigenous Peoples of Mesoamerica 18 Tenochtitlan: The Foundation of Heaven 23 Mexica Civilization and Society 25 Renaissance Conquerors 29 The Spanish Sources 32 The Indigenous Historical Traditions 37 PART TWO The Documents 46 1. Forebodings and Omens 46 2. Preparations 57 3. Encounters 96 4. The March Inland: Tiaxcala and Cholula 117 5. Tenochtitlan 144 6. Things Fall Apart: Toxcatl and the Noche triste 173 7. The Siege and Fall of Tenochtitlan 199 8. Aftermath: Tradition and Transformation 231 Chronology of the Conquest ofTenochtitlan (1485-1584) 261 Questions for Consideration 263 Biographical Notes 265 Glossary of Spanish Terms 269 Glossary of Nahuatl Terms 270 Selected Bibliography 273 Index 277 Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction: Civilizations in Conflict....Pages 1-28 Forebodings and Omens....Pages 29-39 Preparations....Pages 40-78 Encounters....Pages 79-99 The March Inland: Tlaxcala and Cholula....Pages 100-126 Tenochtitlan....Pages 127-155 Things Fall Apart: Toxcatl and the Noche triste....Pages 156-181 The Siege and Fall of Tenochtitlan....Pages 182-213 Aftermath: Tradition and Transformation....Pages 214-243 Back Matter....Pages 245-271 The history of European expansion includes few stories of drama and tragedy equal to the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the fall of the great indigenous empire that controlled its heartland.