Cortes Discussion Essay

1. Why is Cortes letter a primary source?2. Is there any information in his letter that he did not actually observe? How do you reconcile this fact with the idea that this is a primary source? Can a document be partially primary and partially tributary? (i.e., written by someone who did not witness the events or experience the emotion?) 3. What can you venture about Cortes motives in paper about the wonders of Tenochtitlan and the Aztecs? Why did he choose to write about the topics he addressed in this letter? Who is is intended audience, and how might that have influenced the letter? 4. Using Cortes comments in the inaugural two paragraphs, what assumptions can you make about the wealth of the Aztec state? 5. List three characteristics of the Aztec religion. What religious work out did Cortes attempt to do away with? Do you think that he could have been successful?Cortes letter is a primary source because he witnessed the events he wrote about first hand. From what I gathered t hrough his writing Cortes did not appear to leave any vital information out as he account every aspect of the noble city. The way he was able to give his reader, or readers, vivid descriptions of Temixtitlan from the foreign in, gives us reassurance that his letter is indeed a primary source. Unfortunately a document cannot be comprised partially primary and partially secondary. Primary accounts are characterized as the direct proof of a period, with material macrocosm delivered by eyewitnesses and in this case, Cortes time in Temixtitlan.Cortes chose to comprehend the significance of knowing the geology of the domain he cute to conquer. Clearly, for early explorers knowing the terrain and being able to locate natural resources is the difference between life and death. He also chose certain topics because he is attempting to make his description audience-relatable, and more importantly, he is trying describe the point of sophistication of this great city. According to the begin ning paragraphs you immediately know that Temixtitlan is an exceptional city as Cortes say the city had many rare and wonderful objects and that he would try to describe the wealth of what he had seen to the trounce of his ability. The Aztec religion was sacrificial, barbaric, and full of idol worshipping.