For Reading 18.1, de Sahagún’s History of the Things of New Spain: When Cortés rescued Alvarado, the latter claimed that informants had told him the Aztecs planned to attack when the fiesta of Toxcatl was over in order to free Motecuhzoma. Does this claim alter your reaction to this Nahuatl version of events?
What will be an ideal response?
The massacre that is related in this story is set during the festival of Toxcatl, wherein the Aztecs performed a dance to impress the Spanish newcomers. During the dance, the Spanish attacked the Aztecs but were outmatched and had to hide in the palace until their rescue. Given the history of violence associated with colonialism, it seems likely that the attack was more offensive than defensive, taking advantage of the Aztecs’ vulnerability during the dance performance.
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What will be an ideal response?
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