On May 22, 1520, a tragic event occurred that marked a turning point in the history of the fall of Tenochtitlan: the massacre at the festival of Tóxcatl. This massacre resulted in a deep animosity of the Aztecs towards the Spanish.
The festival of Tóxcatl was a significant celebration in the Aztec calendar. Taking place in May, it honored the god Tezcatlipoca. During this festive event, the Aztecs gathered to offer sacrifices, organize dances, and perform religious rituals.
However, in 1520, this festivity took a tragic turn. The Spanish, led by Hernán Cortés, were already well-established in Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. Tensions between the two cultures were palpable, and the presence of the conquistadors aroused suspicion and resentment among the indigenous people.
During the festival of Tóxcatl, the Aztecs gathered in large numbers, unaware of the dark intentions of the Spanish. Fearing a rebellion, the Spanish decided to take drastic measures. They surrounded the square where the festival was taking place and brutally attacked the unsuspecting Aztecs.
The ensuing violence was indescribable. The Spanish killed a large number of Aztecs, regardless of age or gender. The massacre left behind a heavy toll of death and injury, deeply impacting the psyche of the Aztecs.
This tragic event caused a radical shift in the Aztecs' attitude towards the Spanish. Previously, some of them had been fascinated by the new technologies and horses of the conquistadors, considering them as divine emissaries. But after the Tóxcatl massacre, trust in the Spanish was irreparably broken.
The brutality displayed by the Spanish at the festival of Tóxcatl fueled the flames of Aztec resistance. The population mobilized to fight against the invaders and defend their culture, religion, and territory. This ultimately led to the fall of Tenochtitlan in August of the same year.
The Tóxcatl massacre remains a dark chapter in the history of the Spanish conquest of America. It is a testament to the violence and tragic consequences that arise when different cultures collide, as well as the fierce resistance of indigenous peoples against oppression.
ErickTErick, Public domain, https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_du_Templo_Mayor#/media/Fichier:Matanza_templo2.jpg
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