Hernán Cortés’ Entrance into Tenochtitlan: May 20, 1520

On May 20, 1520, Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, made a significant reentry into Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. This maneuver was part of his strategic efforts to maintain control amidst a complex situation following orders for his arrest issued by the Spanish authority, specifically the governor of Cuba, Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar.

Background

• Hernán Cortés initially arrived in Mexico in 1519 under the commission of Diego Velázquez to explore and trade, but he quickly exceeded his authority by founding the city of Veracruz and declaring independence from Velázquez’s control.
• He allied with various indigenous groups who were subjugated by the Aztecs, gathering significant military support against the Aztec Empire.
• Cortés first entered Tenochtitlan on November 8, 1519, where he managed to take the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II hostage as a way to assert power.

Challenge to Spanish Authority

• Velázquez, alarmed by Cortés’ disobedience and growing power, dispatched an expedition led by Pánfilo de Narváez to arrest him and bring him back to Cuba.
• On learning of Narváez’s approach, Cortés left Tenochtitlan to confront this new threat, leaving the city under the command of his lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado.

The Return to Tenochtitlan

• After successfully capturing Narváez on May 28, 1520, Cortés managed to persuade the majority of Narváez’s forces to join his ranks, significantly enhancing his military capabilities.
• Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan on May 20, 1520, to address mounting tensions. Upon his return, he found the city in turmoil due to Alvarado’s actions, which included a massacre during a major religious festival, further inflaming the Aztec populace.

Consequences

• Cortés’ efforts to maintain control through the figurehead of Moctezuma II rapidly deteriorated as the Aztec resistance grew.
• Tensions culminated in the events leading to the “La Noche Triste” or “The Night of Sorrows” on June 30, 1520, when the Spaniards and their allies were forced to escape the city under heavy attack.
• Despite this setback, Cortés regrouped and ultimately captured Tenochtitlan in August 1521, marking a decisive conquest over the Aztec Empire.

Cortés’ return to Tenochtitlan showcases a critical juncture in the Spanish conquest of Mexico, highlighting the complexities of colonial expansion, the intricate alliances with indigenous groups, and the unfolding of a profound transformation in the region’s history.