-EH+APPARTS+Method+Primary+Source+Rewsponses

8-25-09 "Hernan Cortes Conquers Mexico" A The author of the letter to the King of Spain is Hernan Cortes P The letter was sent on Oct. 30th, 1520 and the events take place between 1519 and 1520. P I know that Cortes was sent to Mexico in search of gold. He found native Aztecs in Mexico and believed that they were hiding a city of gold. I know that he was accepted as a god by the natives. He eventually was ran out of the Aztec kingdom but returned and found many had died from diseases he and his men brought. A The King of Spain is the audience because Cortes is writing this letter to tell him about the Aztecs. R Cortes wrote the King because he wanted to describe the Aztecs. He wanted to give the King an account of what he and his men were going through and the unexpected power they gave Cortes. T The main idea of this passage is to show Cortes's side of the story of his interaction with the Aztecs. This is an account of the way Aztecs live their lives in the eyes of Cortes. S This is significant in giving us the thoughts of an army of men on the Aztec people. It shows us that the Spanish thought the Aztecs believed different things than them and were therefore different and should be treated poorly.

"Aztec Chroniclers Describe the Spanish Conquest of Mexico" A Bernardino de Sabagun's Aztec informants is the author of this account of the Spanish killing spree on the Aztecs P This account was given about 1519. P I know that the Aztecs believed Cortes was a god when he first arrived in their nation. They believed that it was predicted that he would come so they had no hesitations giving up the throne. I know that the Spanish ended up mascaraing the Aztecs but were eventually driven out at first. The Spanish came back and took over the Aztec city. A Bernardino de Sabagun is the audience because the Aztec that is giving the acount is talking to Sabagun who is recording his information. I believe that the acount was also meant for others as to make sure this event never happened again. R This acount was given to try and stop this even from ever happening again. It was also given to record what the Spanish did to an entire race of Aztecs. T The main idea of this passage is to show us the Spanish/Aztec story in the eyes of the Aztecs. The Aztecs' account of the story is horrific and reveals information that is not widely known. S This is significant in showing us what the Aztecs fealt about the Spanish arriving, celebrating, then killing thousands of Aztecs. It gives us details about the event and the character of the Spaniards.

Comparison: Both of these passages are about the Spanish arrival into Mexico and how the Spanish and Aztecs merge with each other. Both tell of the arrival of the Spanish and the welcome of the Aztecs. They tell of the gifts that the Aztecs give. Also, they both talk about the beliefs and customs of the Aztecs such as the fiesta that the Aztecs partake in every year.

Contradiction: The Cortes version of the story does not mention any killing of Aztecs. Cortes says that he wishes no Aztecs be sacrificed in his presense. The Aztec acount details horrific scenes of Spanish murdering Aztecs at a celebration. It seems as though Cortes was not proud enough of his actions to relay them to the King of Spain in his letter.