What happened to the gold Cortes was trying to take out of Tenochtitlan?

The Noche Triste marked the end of conquistador Hernán Cortés’ first attempt to conquer Tenochtitlán. Cortés then took Moctezuma prisoner and ordered his treasures melted into gold bars for easier transport.

What did Cortes do after he captured the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan?

Cortés led his army out of Tenochtitlán to meet them, leaving behind a garrison of 80 Spaniards and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs to govern the city. During the Spaniards’ retreat, they defeated a large Aztec army at Otumba and then rejoined their Tlaxcaltec allies.

What happened Cortez gold?

The Spanish later referred to this as the “Noche Triste” or “Night of Sorrows.”The king’s and Cortes’ gold was lost, and those soldiers who carried very much loot either dropped it or were slaughtered because they were running too slowly. Most of the great treasures of Montezuma were irrevocably lost that night.

What did Cortes do with the gold?

It is said that Cortés got the gold when he sought out Aztec emperor Moctezuma for his treasure. A year after being welcomed into the capitol city of Tenochtitlán, now Mexico City, he arrested the emperor and demanded all of his gold. Cortés and his men then melted the treasure down into bars.

How much gold did Cortez get?

As Leonardo pointed out to us, Cortés sent to Charles V a quinto real (20\%) of what the Spaniards had actually received. So, very roughly, Cortés and his men got away with some 200 gold objects – a large booty, but perhaps nothing like what some have imagined over the centuries.

Who discovered gold in Mexico?

How did the Aztecs get their gold?

The Source of Their Gold The Aztec gold originated from parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero that were under Aztec control. The raw gold imported as dust and ingots to the Aztec kingdom. In addition, the rulers of these areas gave gifts of gold items to the Aztec Emperor as a tribute.

What impact did the Spanish conquest have on the Americas?

When the Spanish conquered the Americas, they brought in their own religion. Hundreds of Native Americans converted to Christianity. Churches, monasteries, shrines and parishes were built. This was one of the Spanish’s main goals in colonization, as well as giving Spain more power.

Why did Hernan Cortes go to Mexico?

In 1519, inspired by rumors of gold and the existence of large, sophisticated cities in the Mexican interior, Hernán Cortés (1485–1547) was appointed to head an expedition of eleven ships and five hundred men to Mexico. At that time the great empire of the Mexica—now known as the Aztecs—dominated much of Mesoamerica.

How did Cortes win the Battle of Tlaxcala?

In 1519 the maverick conquistador rallied from near-certain annihilation to victory over the Aztec Empire—thanks to an earlier defeat at the hands of the Aztecs’ rivals, the Tlaxcaltecs. Hernán Cortés marched boldly toward Tlaxcala in late August 1519, brimming with confidence.

What was Cortes’ attitude toward the people of Tenochtitlan?

There was a well-organized structure of government and religious hierarchy as well. Cortes pointed out that people have good level of culture and they are polite. So, until conflicts started, Cortes’ overall attitude toward inhabitants of Tenochtitlan was friendly and respectful, probably.

What did Hernan Cortes believe about the marriage between Alonso Grado and Moctezuma?

Hernán Cortés believed that a marriage between the eldest daughter of Moctezuma, called “Doña Isabel,” and Spaniard Alonso Grado would benefit New Spain by bringing conqueror and conquered together as a new people.