Who were the key actors in the conquest of Mexico?

The key actors in the conquest of Mexico were Hernán Cortés, Moctezuma II, and Malinche.

Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, was the primary orchestrator of the conquest of Mexico. He led an expedition in 1519 that marked the beginning of the end for the Aztec Empire. Cortés was a skilled military leader and diplomat, using a combination of force and negotiation to achieve his goals. He managed to form alliances with some indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs, which significantly aided his conquest.

Moctezuma II, the Aztec emperor, played a crucial role in the conquest, albeit unwillingly. His initial response to the Spanish arrival was one of hospitality, as he believed Cortés to be the returning god Quetzalcoatl. However, this quickly changed as the true intentions of the Spanish became clear. Moctezuma was eventually taken hostage by Cortés and died under mysterious circumstances, marking a turning point in the conquest.

Malinche, also known as Doña Marina, was an indigenous woman who played a pivotal role in the conquest. She was gifted to Cortés and became his interpreter and advisor. Malinche knew both the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs and Mayan dialects, and she learned Spanish quickly. Her linguistic skills and cultural knowledge were invaluable to Cortés, enabling him to communicate and negotiate with the Aztecs and other indigenous groups.

Other key actors included Pedro de Alvarado, a lieutenant of Cortés who was responsible for the infamous massacre at the Templo Mayor in Mexico City, and Cuauhtémoc, who became the Aztec emperor following Moctezuma's death and led the resistance against the Spanish. The Tlaxcalans, an indigenous group who allied with the Spanish, were also significant players in the conquest.

The conquest of Mexico was a complex and brutal process, involving a range of actors from different backgrounds and with different motivations. The actions of these individuals, combined with broader political, social, and economic factors, led to the downfall of the Aztec Empire and the establishment of New Spain.