The discovery of the New World was part of the remarkable European expansion. This expansion was possible due to the European's technical skills in navigation, their economic status in maritime and military enterprise, their interest in spreading Christianity, and their determination to gain new lands and wealth. For the conqueror Hernan Cortez his motivation was no doubt more complex. Due to the manner in which the Spaniards conquered Mexico they often were accused of violating international laws. Is Herman Cortez guilty of genocide, crimes against peace, and war crimes? .
Genocide according to the United Nations means actions committed with the intent to destroy, in-whole or in-part, national, ethnical, racial, or religious groups. The killing of the Aztecs was not Cortez's ultimate end, but rather the means to obtain wealth. At first this blinded me, but I quickly realized that Cortez was guilty of genocide against the Cholultecas. According to the Aztecs the Spanish were encouraged to destroy Cholula by their allies the Tlaxcaltecas. The Tlaxcaltecas told Cortez, "Cholula is our enemy. It is an evil city. The people are as brave as the Aztecs and they are the Aztecs" friends" Leon-Portilla, The Broken Spears p. 40. Cortez feeling intimidated marched against the Cholultecas, and inside a closed courtyard slaughtered some three thousand Cholultecas in a period of several days. .
In the beginning of the conquest Cortez may not have had the intent to kill or wage war of aggression, but he surely was prepared in the event there was a need. When Motecuhzuma sent messengers laden with gifts of gold to meet Cortez he was very ungrateful. "Then the Captain gave orders, and the messengers were chained by the feet and by the neck. When this had been .
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done, the greatest cannon was fired off. The messengers lost their senses and fainted away" Leon-Portilla, The Broken Spears, p.