Chapter 22

New Spain
In the 1519th’s the Aztecs had calendars. With these calendars they figured out which day Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent who can also turn to human would come. Since Hernando Cortes came the same day Quetzalcoatl was suppose to arrive the Aztecs thought Cortes was the serpent in its human form. Cortes had brought with him 16 horses, 550 soliders, 100 sailors, 200 Cubans, some Africans, and some women. The Aztec ruler Moctezuma heard the news and started sending gold and jewels to Cortes. Moctezuma wasn’t sure that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl so he hesitated. Cortes wanted to go to Moctezuma’s Capital, but his men were scared so Cortes sank all 11 of his ships. Cortes was able to communicate with the Aztecs by Dona Marina. When Cortes reached Moctezuma’s Capital all the Aztecs there were killed, conquered, or got very ill with smallpox.

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