Cortes and Machiavelli’s Type of Conquest Essay

Introduction

Cortes was a Spanish soldier who was among the first to negotiate with the Indians living in Mexico under the claim of spreading Christianity. In his bid to conquer Mexico and make it the New Spain, Cortes applied several tactics, some of which are outlined in Machiavelli’s types of conquest and ways of securing princedom.

According to Machiavelli’s account, several ways can be used by any interested individual to secure power whether in a local or foreign dynasty. Irrespective of the language barriers and geographical locations, Machiavelli identified several effective ways through which an individual can rise to power. The following paper will demonstrate how Cortes applied some of Machiavelli’s tactics to gain political control over Mexico.

Analysis

One of the strategies applied by Cortes upon landing in Mexico was introducing Christianity as the right religion.¹ To prevent his soldiers from going back home, Cortes destroyed their ship, a strategy that was meant to ensure that he gained loyalty from all his soldiers to have a significant military power before engaging in any conflict with the red Indians.

Firstly, Cortes applied one of Machiavelli’s tactics, which entailed installing Spain’s rule, or his rule in the new area, and convincing some of the loyal chieftains to prince Montezuma to support his troops. Machiavelli considered this approach very effective since not only did it separate loyalties but also separated the minority groups and made it easier for those seeking power to get it without a struggle.

To gain control over the city of Mexico, Cortes brought together his people and convinced some of the individuals closer to the prince that his ideologies were true and that any loyalty granted to his troop would be highly remunerated. In this regard, Cortes ensured that there were new loyal groups, who were ready to fight against their people to acquire the favors from Cortes. Secondly, Cortes also made it clear that he was better feared than loved.² According to him, seeking unnecessary favors from chief Montezuma, would not have guaranteed Cortes the conquest he desired. He, therefore, resolved to establish a negative image to ensure that even during conquest his troops would not be undermined.

Based on Diaz’s account on how Cortes got to befriend and nag Montezuma, it is clear that the prince feared Cortes’ group despite being outnumbered.³ Practically, it seemed impossible for Cortes to succeed in any military encounter with the Mexicans. Both Cortes and Montezuma understood the imbalance between their troops, and it was expected that the Spaniards would lose.

However, Cortes made sure that all his troops were always armed even when they went to meet the prince to negotiate religious terms and to introduce Christianity to the Mexicans. In addition to the fear generated by Cortes due to the weapons carried by his troops, Cortes did not seem to fear the prince, and in several occasions, he directly insulted Montezuma’s gods and called them devils.

The other strategy used by Cortes in the conquest of New Spain was by putting down powerful people. To ensure that he enjoyed full benefits of his conquest, his first attack was on Velázquez, whom he termed as a tyrant and, therefore, undeserving to serve.

Secondly, he targeted the prince, Montezuma, who was oblivious of Cortes’ plans, until he was arrested and held hostage before dying in the fight for Spanish conquest. This approach is identified by Machiavelli as being effective in the fact that the subjects are left with no ultimate direction and in confusion, it becomes very easy for a new prince to rise to power and establish his dynasty.⁴

Based on this approach, Cortes identified that the immense power bestowed on the priest made everyone regard him as a god, and his demise would bring helplessness and hopelessness among his subjects. Diaz made specific reference to the number of mistresses, workers, slaves, and chieftains under the prince and identified how he was adored and worshiped.

Using Machiavelli’s approach, an attack on the top most position was strategic in weakening the Mexicans loyal to the prince, and hence Cortes ensured that in the first attack, Montezuma was arrested and subjected to heinous activities. Similarly, when the Cholula’s were claimed to be staging an attack, Cortes tortured and killed in large numbers as a way of threatening others against indulging in similar activities.

Conclusion

All these accounts demonstrate various ways through which an individual can rise to power by strategically identifying weaknesses and capitalizing on any opportunity possible.

Using Christianity as a decoy, he found his way up to the top and succeeded in overthrowing Montezuma, who had been previously doubtful of being outnumbered by Cortes’ men. The analysis demonstrates the practicality in the use of Machiavelli’s conquest tactics, which were used by Cortes during the conquest of New Spain.

Bibliography

Díaz, Bernal. The Conquest of New Spain. New York: Penguin, 2003.

Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2003.

Footnotes

¹ Bernal Díaz, The Conquest of New Spain (New York: Penguin, 2003), 146.

² Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2003), 91.

³ Bernal Díaz, The Conquest of New Spain (New York: Penguin, 2003), 246.

⁴ Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2003), 91.