What was the role of religion in the conquest of the Aztecs?

Religion played a significant role in the conquest of the Aztecs, influencing both the Spanish conquerors and the Aztecs themselves.

The Spanish, led by Hernán Cortés, were driven by a desire to spread Christianity. They viewed the Aztec religion, with its human sacrifices, as barbaric and believed it was their duty to convert the Aztecs to Christianity. This religious motivation was intertwined with their quest for wealth and power, as they believed that spreading Christianity would also bring them material rewards. The Spanish used religion as a tool of conquest, using the cross and the Bible as symbols of their power and authority. They also used religious ceremonies, such as baptisms, to assert their control over the Aztecs.

On the other hand, the Aztec religion also played a role in their defeat. The Aztecs believed in a prophecy that a god, Quetzalcoatl, would return from the east to reclaim his kingdom. When Cortés arrived from the east, some Aztecs believed he was this returning god and welcomed him. This belief undermined their resistance to the Spanish and facilitated their conquest. The Aztecs' religious practices, such as human sacrifice, also alienated potential allies and made it easier for the Spanish to form alliances with other indigenous groups.

Religion also influenced the aftermath of the conquest. The Spanish attempted to eradicate the Aztec religion and replace it with Christianity. They destroyed Aztec temples and religious artefacts, and converted the Aztecs to Christianity. However, the Aztecs continued to practice their religion in secret, and elements of it survived and were incorporated into Mexican Catholicism.

In conclusion, religion was a key factor in the conquest of the Aztecs. It motivated the Spanish, influenced the Aztecs' response to the Spanish, and shaped the cultural and religious landscape of post-conquest Mexico.