Answer and Explanation
Spaniard Cortes being greeted by Aztec emperor Montezuma
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Question 0920:
One of the factors that proved critical
to the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs was
(A) the overwhelming number of Spanish soldiers
(B) the total lack of organization of the Aztec political and military system
(C) the support of Portuguese soldiers
(D) the pacifist nature of the Aztecs
(E) a smallpox epidemic spread by contact with the Spanish soldiers
(A) the overwhelming number of Spanish soldiers
(B) the total lack of organization of the Aztec political and military system
(C) the support of Portuguese soldiers
(D) the pacifist nature of the Aztecs
(E) a smallpox epidemic spread by contact with the Spanish soldiers
Answer:
(E) a smallpox epidemic spread by contact with the Spanish soldiers
Explanation:
Smallpox devastated the native populations of the New World. The Aztec population, estimated at 30 million when the Spanish arrived in Mexico, was down to 3 million by 1568 and 1.6 million in 1620. Despite having an army of perhaps only 600 Spaniards, Hernan Cortes was able to eventually defeat the Aztec forces and claim Mexico City for Spain in 1521.
(E) a smallpox epidemic spread by contact with the Spanish soldiers
Explanation:
Smallpox devastated the native populations of the New World. The Aztec population, estimated at 30 million when the Spanish arrived in Mexico, was down to 3 million by 1568 and 1.6 million in 1620. Despite having an army of perhaps only 600 Spaniards, Hernan Cortes was able to eventually defeat the Aztec forces and claim Mexico City for Spain in 1521.
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