Posted by despertaferro on 25 Jul 2022, 00:17
Hello Michael...
I'm no expert, but I think there were several key factors:
1.- Most of these men were veterans of the Italian wars and native from the poorest corners of Spain. In other words, desperados with nothing to lose and fascinated by the legends about the gold of the New World. As individuals, much more barbaric and ruthless than the Aztecs themselves.
2.- The weapons they used were unknown to the natives of the New World. The steel swords they carried were among the best in Europe at the time. And they were experts in their use (some authors mention that the Spanish buckler and sword infantry during the Italian wars were the best of their kind since the Roman legions). But then, with the success of the Swiss and the Lanskenets tactics, the Pike and Shot period began. Leaving all these fine soldiers unemployed.
And the horses. Few survived the trek through the jungle from the coast, but to the natives of the New World, their sight was shocking. At first they thought that rider and horse formed a single being and believed they were facing some kind of mythological animal. In some battles, a few horsemen armed with spears were able to put armies of hundreds of warriors to flight.
3.- The Aztecs ruled an Empire and, as a consequence, extended their rule over a multitude of minor cultures that were just waiting for the opportunity to get rid of them. When the Spaniards attacked Tenochtitlan, their army consisted of a few hundred Spaniards and thousands of native allies determined to destroy the hated Aztecs forever.
4.- Finally, betrayal. They convince Moctezuma to meet with Cortés for a deal, and once there, they take him prisoner. In exchange for his life, the Spaniards forced him to order their warriors to stop fighting. Once achieved, they torture and kill the emperor in the most horrific way.
Contrary to popular belief, plate armor, crossbows and firearms had very little influence.
In rugged terrain and hot, humid weather, plate armor rusts quickly and is heavy and uncomfortable to wear. If you only need to protect yourself from weapons made of stone, wood or bone, a padded coat works exactly the same and is lighter and more comfortable to wear. Crossbows and firearms require maintenance and are complicated to repair. Dirt, humidity, and rain don't help to keep them ready for use when needed, and they're too slow to use if you're not out in the open.
Kind regards
Joan