2.4 Examination of "Segunda carta de relación" by Hernán Cortés

• In what year did Hernán Cortés begin his expedition to Mexico?

  1519
• Cortés' expedition began with his arrival in Veracruz
• Cortés formed alliances with indigenous tribes to fight against the Aztecs.
• To whom was the "Segunda carta de relación" addressed?

  Emperor Charles V
• The primary purpose of the "Segunda carta de relación" was to justify Cortés' actions
• Arrange the following events of Cortés' expedition in chronological order:

  1️⃣ Arrival in Veracruz

  2️⃣ Establishment of Villa Rica de la Veracruz

  3️⃣ Alliances with indigenous tribes

  4️⃣ March to Tenochtitlan

  5️⃣ Arrival in Tenochtitlan
• Cortés' expedition was partly driven by the desire to spread Christianity.
• What date did Cortés arrive in Veracruz to begin his expedition?

  April 22, 1519
• Cortés established a Spanish base called Villa Rica de la Veracruz
• On what date did Cortés first encounter Moctezuma II?

  November 8, 1519
• Who wrote the "Segunda carta de relación"?

  Hernán Cortés
• Hernán Cortés landed in Veracruz in 1519 to spread Christianity.
• Cortés established a Spanish base called Villa Rica de la Veracruz
• On what date did Cortés arrive in Tenochtitlan?

  November8, 1519
• Cortés wrote the "Segunda carta de relación" to Emperor Charles V to justify his actions and seek royal support.
• What were the main objectives of Cortés in writing the "Segunda carta de relación"?

  Justify actions, seek support
• Cortés detailed the events of the expedition, Mexico's geography and culture, and interactions with the Aztecs
• Cortés' expedition occurred during a period of intense European exploration and colonization.
• Match the key event with its date:

  Arrival in Veracruz ↔️ April 22, 1519

  Establishment of Villa Rica de la Veracruz ↔️ May 1519

  Arrival in Tenochtitlan ↔️ November 8, 1519
• What were the three key objectives of Cortés in writing the letter?

  Justify, support, detail events
• The "Segunda carta de relación" includes details about the geography and culture of Mexico.
• Cortés portrayed his interactions with the Aztecs in a way that justified his conquests.
• What is the purpose of Cortés' "Segunda carta de relación"?

  To justify his actions
• Cortés details the key events of his expedition, such as his arrival in Veracruz
• Cortés emphasizes the wealth and grandeur of the Aztec empire in his letter.
• Who was the leader of the Aztecs during Cortés' expedition?

  Moctezuma II
• Arrange the key sections of Cortés' "Segunda carta de relación" in their logical order.

  1️⃣ Introduction

  2️⃣ Expedition events

  3️⃣ Geography and culture

  4️⃣ Interactions with the Aztecs
• Match the section of the letter with its description.

  Introduction ↔️ Explains the purpose of the expedition

  Expedition events ↔️ Details the journey to Tenochtitlan

  Geography and culture ↔️ Describes Mexico and its people

  Interactions with the Aztecs ↔️ Recounts encounters with Moctezuma II
• Cortés compares Tenochtitlan to European cities to emphasize its wealth and grandeur.
• What are some of the literary devices used by Cortés in his letter?

  Descriptions, comparisons, understatement, appeals to authority
• Cortés uses exaggeration to emphasize the wealth and grandeur of the Aztec empire.
• How does Cortés use imagery in his letter?

  To create a mental image
• Cortés uses metaphor to compare Tenochtitlan to European cities.
• Cortés exaggerated the wealth and grandeur of the Aztec empire to emphasize the significance of his conquest
• Cortés used vivid descriptions of the geography and culture of Mexico to create a mental image for Emperor Charles V.
• What did Cortés compare the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, to in order to convey its grandeur and importance?

  European cities
• Hernán Cortés employed various literary and rhetorical devices in his "Segunda carta de relación" to persuade Emperor Charles V
• Cortés described Tenochtitlan as a city with "many mosques and temples, and very large and beautiful houses."
• What were two main aims of Cortés in using literary and rhetorical devices?

  Justify actions and seek support
• Key events of Hernán Cortés' expedition to Mexico in 1519

  1️⃣ Arrival in Veracruz

  2️⃣ Establishment of Villa Rica de la Veracruz

  3️⃣ Alliances with indigenous tribes

  4️⃣ March to Tenochtitlan

  5️⃣ Arrival in Tenochtitlan