Explain how Cortes and his men were able to fight indigenous people groups successfully.  Think about: 1. Weaponry, armour.2. Fear, greed.

Weaponry and Armour: Hernán Cortés and his men had superior weaponry and armour compared to the indigenous people. They had steel swords, crossbows, and firearms like cannons and harquebuses. Their armour was also made of steel, which was far superior to the cotton armour worn by the indigenous people. This gave them a significant advantage in battles.

Fear: Cortés and his men also used psychological tactics to instill fear in the indigenous people. They had horses, which the indigenous people had never seen before and were terrified of. The Spanish also had large, fierce dogs that were used in battle. Additionally, the indigenous people believed that Cortés was the returning god Quetzalcoatl, which added to their fear and hesitation to fight back.

Greed: Cortés was able to exploit the existing rivalries and discontent among different indigenous groups. He formed alliances with some of the indigenous people like the Tlaxcalans, who were enemies of the Aztecs. These alliances provided him with additional manpower and local knowledge, which were crucial in his conquest.

Disease: It's also important to note that the Spanish brought with them diseases like smallpox, to which the indigenous people had no immunity. These diseases decimated the indigenous population, making it easier for Cortés and his men to conquer them.