FIRST CONTACTS 28000 BCE 1821 CE
MESOAMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS THE OLMECS TO CORTES
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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They may have believed the Spanish were returning gods.
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They feared the Spaniards’ weapons.
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They wanted to trade with the Spanish.
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -The Aztecs first thought the Spanish were gods due to their light skin and dark hair. The Aztecs would pay the Spanish gold and other gifts to celebrate them. The Spanish saw these riches and realized they wanted more but were outnumbered by the Aztecs.
Detailed explanation-2: -It is thus ironic that when Cortés and his men entered Mexico, they were often welcomed not only as guests but also as gods coming home. The Aztec desire to honor the “gods” coincided with the Spanish desire for gold. Thus Montezuma sent out messengers with gifts.
Detailed explanation-3: -Montezuma II, the Aztec emperor, professed a fear that the Spaniards were followers of the white-skinned and bearded Teotihuacán god, Quetzalcoatl, who had been exiled by the Toltecs because he forbade human sacrifice and had promised a return from across the sea to enforce his law.
Detailed explanation-4: -The Spanish were horrified by the idea that the Aztecs believed in deities that frequently expected blood and hearts from their worshippers, especially when these were obtained in such a brutal way. 1.