Mexico marks 500th anniversary of Spanish conquest of Aztec empire, exposes wounds

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Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs 500 years ago this week when he, and his native allies, toppled their capital of Tenochtitlán, today in the heart of Mexico City. Now that anniversary is turning Mexican against Mexican in a heated debate that has ripped open ethnic, cultural and political wounds within the nation. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday asked the country’s indigenous Mexica people, the descendants of the Aztecs, to forgive the nation for the abuses they suffered during the 1521 conquest

But not everyone in Mexico sees it that way, including residents of the state of Tlaxcala. Their ancestors, also indigenous Mesoamericans, allied with the Spanish by the tens of thousands to topple the Aztecs, who committed their own abuses against neighboring tribes, in what Tlaxcalans see as a war of liberation.

“[Cortés] is not seen exactly as a villain [in Tlaxcala], unlike in other places, but as someone who played a complicated role in history,” documentary filmmaker Yassir Zárate Méndez told The Guardian.

“It wasn’t 600 to 800 Spaniards who conquered [Tenochtitlán]. It was thousands and thousands of Tlaxcalans, Huejotzingas or other peoples, who were under the Mexica yoke and wanted to liberate themselves,” archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma told Radio Formula. Tlaxcalans have often been treated as traitors within their own nation because of the role their ancestors played in toppling the Aztecs.

https://nypost.com/2021/08/14/500th-anniversary-of-aztec-conquest-exposes-cultural-wounds-in-mexico/

[cinematicdiversions]

1. I am not sure we want to paint the Aztecs as the "Good Guys" here.... NT

[CatWoman]

4. however, they had the right to exist

This saga played out throughout the Americas.

Like Cortez played the Aztecs against one another, Pizarro did the same with the Incas.

Unfortunately the locals found out the hard way the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

[eShirl]

6. well "Good Guys" certainly doesn't describe the Conquistadores.

[kimbutgar]

2. I have been to chichen itza and Uzmal

The engineering of these temples is so astounding.

The Aztec culture needs to be appreciated for this feat.

[LeftInTX]

3. My husband is the 12th great grandson of conquistadors

Diego Montemayor: Founder of Monterrey and Albert Canto: Founder of Nuevo Leon
Famous Relatives...who are probably related to everyone in Monterrey

[UTUSN]

5. K& big R#5