-JPAPPARTS+Method+Primary+Source+Responses

Apparts Method B. The Spanish in America 1. Hernan Cortes Conquers Mexico 1519-1526

A- The author is this source is Hernan Cortes. P- This source was created on October 30th, 1520. P- The Aztecs saw Cortes as a god coming out of where the sun comes, shining in its light, and accompanied by massive dogs (horses). A- This source was created for the King of Spain. R- This source was produced because Hernan Cortes had met Moctezuma for the first time and he needed to tell the King. T- The source is trying to say that Moctezuma worshipped Cortes heavily as a god, and also that their rituals of human sacrifice are astonishing and savage. S- This source is important because there are opposing viewpoints on some terms. One view is from the point Hernan Cortes, and the other point is that of Aztex Chroniclers.

2. Aztec Chroniclers Describe the Spanish Conquest of Mexico 1519

A- The author of this source is an Aztec talking to friar Bernardino de Sahagun. P- This source was created in 1519. P- The Aztecs originally kicked Cortes out when he cut himself shaving and they saw him bleed. Gods DO NOT bleed. A- This source was not created for anybody in perticular, but rather to keep track of the events that happened for Moctezuma. R- This source was produced at this time because Cortes was thought to be a god and thusly a very large event. T- This source is trying to convey that the Spaniards took advantage of the Aztec's hospitality, and then during their festival massacred every last one. S- This source is important because the author is neutral to the event. He is neither a member of Cortes's crew or a total member of Moctezuma's society. His point of view is neutral, and therefore important.

Compare and Contrast: The main difference between these two sources is that the massacre of the Aztecs is only written in the second source, which is written by an Aztec. In Cortes's version the Aztecs welcomed them to Mexico, which is consistent with the other source. But, Cortes's version speaks of rituals including ripping out human hearts and sacrificing lives to their gods. The Aztec's version instead alludes to the fact that most of the Aztecs were wiped out when Cortes and his Spaniards bum-rushed them when they were performing a ceremonial festival to impress their guests.