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500 years after Aztec rule, Mexico confronts a complicated anniversary
National Geographic ^ | 8/12/21 | ANDRÉS RESÉNDEZ

Posted on 08/12/2021 2:02:01 PM PDT by Borges

Was the 1521 surrender of the great Indigenous empire to the Spanish crown a triumphant conquest, an existential tragedy—or even a genocide?

The remains of a massive cypress tree sits inside a small plaza in Mexico City, surrounded by fencing and illuminated by four spotlights at night. An old sign explains its significance: “This is the tree where Hernán Cortés wept after being defeated by the Aztec defenders.”

We Mexicans call it El Árbol de la Noche Triste, or The Tree of the Sad Night, and learn about it since grade school from government-issued history textbooks. The story goes something like this: In March 1519, a couple of hundred Spaniards, led by a stubborn but resourceful man with some legal training named Hernán Cortés, appeared on the Gulf of Mexico coast. They established contact with the mighty Aztecs of central Mexico and, after exchanging messages and gifts, made their way to the Valley of Mexico and the Aztec stronghold of Tenochtitlan (downtown Mexico City).

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalgeographic.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: aztec; aztecs; conquistador; conquistadors; cortez; mexico; spain
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu-EdQ44EZU

This was just posted the other day!


61 posted on 08/12/2021 4:02:38 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Borges

I stopped reading at the point where the authors claimed the industrial age of the west was founded on the proceeds from the Spanish conquest of Mexico and South America.


62 posted on 08/12/2021 4:20:22 PM PDT by Wuli
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To: sphinx

Good synopsis.


63 posted on 08/12/2021 4:25:10 PM PDT by Eagles6 (Welcome to the Matrix circa 1984.)
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To: DesertRhino

Most definitely.


64 posted on 08/12/2021 4:52:34 PM PDT by Eagles6 (Welcome to the Matrix circa 1984.)
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To: shanover

Good one!


65 posted on 08/12/2021 4:56:44 PM PDT by Eagles6 (Welcome to the Matrix circa 1984.)
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To: Borges
Sounds like you never read an actual history book.

But continue to suck up to the murderous mohammedans.

Maybe they will castrate you last.

66 posted on 08/12/2021 6:05:34 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (I refuse to be afraid. I refuse to bow. I refuse to take any job I do not wish to. So BUZZ OFF!)
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To: Borges

The Aztecs were cannibals. Evil.


67 posted on 08/12/2021 6:16:59 PM PDT by cpt_dave
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To: Charles H. (The_r0nin)

I presume a good deal of that was Al-Ghazal’s doing?


68 posted on 08/12/2021 6:39:40 PM PDT by Jacob Kell
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

LOL Hyperbole much? In the 12th century it was indeed something of a Golden Age in Spain.


69 posted on 08/13/2021 8:55:21 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Borges
To quote you: Hyperbole much?

Your "Golden Age" was Pyrite.

But I suppose the surprise would be if we actually agreed on anything so this is just more SSDD.

70 posted on 08/13/2021 9:08:43 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (I refuse to be afraid. I refuse to bow. I refuse to take any job I do not wish to. So BUZZ OFF!)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJWjDVrxrhI&t=49s


71 posted on 08/14/2021 2:09:02 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Borges
I know OSP.

Their history is the kind that comes from collage students who do not know enough to know what they do not know.

So yeah.

Explains a lot about why you are so wrong so often if this is the kind of stuff you use as a knowledge base.

Red is still very funny. If a bit shallow.

72 posted on 08/14/2021 2:22:15 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (I refuse to be afraid. I refuse to bow. I refuse to take any job I do not wish to. So BUZZ OFF!)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

Oh I’m not claiming its in depth history (how could it be?). Just a good all- around summary. I disagree with him on various things actually. But I do prefer him to the woman. The online course I’m wary of is Crash Course. They do a very good job at putting together snazzy videos with a fair amount of good info but it’s truly awash in “systems of oppression” style critical theory.


73 posted on 08/14/2021 2:39:35 PM PDT by Borges
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