no, supporting the murderous Aztec civilization is looney. If you read “history of the conquest of mexico” by Prescott you will get a more honest picture of what happened. Prescott used actual manuscripts written by people who were there and he is not totally on the side of the spaniards. Cortes did the mexicans a huge favor and was diligent in rebuilding the war damage and instituting a noble religion aimed at the uplifting of all the people. Unlike the Aztecs who subjegated and took whom ever they pleased from the surrounding indian cities to have their hearts torn out of their bodies to please their god, ie, satan. It was also very clear that Cortes did not want to fight them but their own stubborn pride wouldn’t let them acknowledge a true religion and culture. They gave up their right to their culture by their human sacrifice. No doubt that Cortez was on a mission from God. Not saying that they were perfect...in war mistakes are made. But overall, considering the difficulty of the task, the spaniards were incredible along with their indian allies.
Your beloved book was written in 1843. Prescott lived from 1796 until 1859.
No one needs to buy it now. It is on the internet because it is that old.
I have read primary sources about this topic, and secondary sources, but not early 19th century secondary sources. This book of yours is not the last word. Scholars would mainly read it now for its historiographical interest.
I do not “support” the Aztecs. What would that even mean? It is not useful to judge ancient civilizations by the standards of modern morality.
The Aztec religion involved human sacrifice, but it was not devil worship. It was just a polytheistic religion.
Cortes was not a shrinking violet. Obviously he did want to fight them.
If he was on a mission from God, then God isn’t merciful.
Catholicism as practiced by Spanish conquistadors was not a very humane or nice religion.