Montezuma
“You do not lead by hitting people over the head that’s assault, not leadership” quoted by Dwight D. Eisenhower. This quote describes how Montezuma, the last independent Aztec ruler, and the greatest leader of the Aztecs, treated his Aztec people before the Spaniards conquest and domination of Tenochititlan. Montezuma was known as one of the greatest leaders in history. To understand more about his life, it is important to understand who the Aztecs were and their powerful empire. Knowing more about the Aztecs, then it comes to knowing about the Aztec government and Montezuma’s leadership life. Finally, it is important to understand the fall of Montezuma and the Aztecs to the dominating Spaniards. During the same period as the Inca Empire, the Aztec Empire dominated Mesoamerica from Mexico and Guatemala to the territories of Salvador and Honduras for nearly 100 years. This empire consisted of the native speaking people known as the Nahuatl-speakers and those of the Culhua-Mexico, who had migrated from the Pacific Northwest and inhabited the area which would become the capital of Mexico, Tenochtitlan. The people of this culture were refined workers, merchants, farmers and fishermen. Also, they were devoted worshippe . . .
After defeating the forces sent by Velasquez, Cortes returned to Tenochtitlan to find that his Spanish troops had massacred an unarmed crowd at a religious ceremony and provoked a massive Aztec uprising. Tonantzin was worshipped at a stone temple in Tepeyac, about five miles from the capital Tenochtitlan. Yet, with time social conditions changed and so did the government. These rich and powerful merchants were responsible for importing exotic items of great value from distant realms of the empire. Leadership of the nation was passed on from brother to brother and then to the eldest son of the eldest brother. This system was based on a 365 day cycle and when combined with that of the Day-Count, it provided a perfect 52 year cycle, which measured historical events for the Aztec. His weaknesses took over his strength to defend his empire against the Spaniards. Their blood provided nutrition for the sun and another day of life and light for the world. It had four major officials who it elected. Tonantzin was depicted as a terrifying figure, with her head comprised of snakes and her garment a mass of writhing serpents; her eyes projected fathomless grief. The heart of the victim was cut out, symbolically offered to the gods, and the lifeless bodies of the victims were rolled down the long stairs, staining the steps with blood. This Aztec leader sent gifts to the Spaniards with a demand for Cortes and his fleet to depart. Cortes marched his troops along a route designed to recruit as many volunteers and supporters to the Spanish cause as possible. My opinion is Montezuma was a cowered, and if Montezuma only fought instead of trying to bribe the Spaniards and show them how much gold and riches is really in the Aztec community. The temples of these cities were burned and the worship of Huitzilopochtli was installed.
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