Eh... What’s the Difference?

In maintaining a life as a Mexican born person and turned naturalized American, I have the experience of seeing two cultures that are vastly different from each other. Yet, these two modern cultures are of very similar economic philosophy and political structure. If this is the case with these two neighboring countries that have been existing adjacent to each other for centuries, how did two nations with a half of world of distance fair? To begin to answer this question, we can analyze the cultural, economic, and political similarities and differences between the Spanish and the Aztec on the eve of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

First, we begin with the cultural similarities and differences between the Spanish and the English. Religion in Tenochtitlan was non-differentiated and “overshadowed all other institutions.” The Aztec were polytheistic. In contrast ,as we all know, Spain was monotheistic.[The] god Huitzilopochtli was the patron divinity who had chosen the Mexica to conquer and rule over the world.” This created a sense of conquest that the Aztec warrior culture is/was well known for. In fact before they became an empire “they [where] hired out as auxiliary warriors” or mercenaries. Similarly, the Spanish also had somewhat of a warrior culture as well called the “Conquistadores (meaning ‘leaders of the crusades’),” Who were still itchy for more plunder after their victory against the Muslims in Spain. Now that we have seen the cultural similarities and differences, lets continue by comparing and contrasting the economies of these two great nations.

Because of the fact that Spain ran very similarly to that of Aztec economy in the way that they were both empires; meaning that they ruled over other states or provinces in order to maintain economic superiority. For example when the Aztec Noble, Itzcoatl, seized power, he rewarded his new lords (relatives of his) with “granting titles, estates, and rights to wear special ornaments,... [and] headdresses.” The Spanish had a similar system that involved all conquistadors called “encomiendas, large tracts of land with native subjects.” In the newly conquered state, Spain planted “[a] ‘Viceroy,’ or vice-king,... ruling the colonial government that was subdivided into smaller administrative units.” Differently, however, when the Aztec conquered other tribes, they did not plant a new leader, they let the “tributary towns retain their own institutions,” thus becoming more of a self-maintained hegemony. These self-maintained towns were like the Spanish conquistadors who had to pay “La Quinta” (20% of their earnings to the king and queen of spain), the Aztec “rulers prescribed amounts and kinds of tributes to be paid in from the provinces.” Now that we have seen the how these two nation managed economically, now we will begin by seeing how they ran politically.

Lastly, lets evaluate the political structures of the peninsular country and that of the lake-centered empire. In the Aztec community, “the emperor... became a high priest. - a necessary precaution where politics was so intertwined with religion.” This is not exactly similar, but close, to how the Spanish managed politically; The Spanish king and queen ruled but where not priest. They did however asked for the blessing of the Catholic Church before making final decisions. As most of us know, kings and queens in Europe were from a royal blood line that one had to be born into in order to become king or queen through automatic succession. Similarly, The Aztec did follow a belief in royal lineage. However, in contrast, the emperor “was chosen from eligible candidates in the extensive royal family, but succession was not automatic from father to any particular son among his many spawn,” whom then was elected to rule for life. 

Lets evaluate the political structures of the peninsular country and that of the lake-centered empire. In the Aztec community, “the emperor... became a high priest. - a necessary precaution where politics was so intertwined with religion.” This is not exactly similar, but close, to how the Spanish managed politically; The Spanish king and queen ruled but were not priest. They did, however, ask for the blessing of the Catholic Church before making final decisions. As most of us know, kings and queens in Europe were from a royal blood line that one had to be born into in order to become king or queen through automatic succession. Similarly, The Aztec did follow a belief in royal lineage. However, in contrast, the emperor “was chosen from eligible candidates in the extensive royal family, but succession was not automatic from father to any particular son among his many spawn,” whom then was elected to rule for life. 

Now that we have fully probed similarities and differences of the two most powerful nations of their time, we can see how two great societies managed similarly and differently from each other. The two great empires eventually met, fought, and mixed with one another to create an entirely new race of people called the Mexican. And I am proud to say that I am both Spanish and Mesoamerican. I am Mestizo, I am Mexican. (insert proud horns sounding here).

All quotes are from "Occupied America," Acuna & "The Rise of Tenochtitlan," from Oncoming Crisis.