Montezuma and Cortes with Matthew Restall

I talk with Professor Matthew Restall of Penn State University about his book When Montezuma Met Cortes. We discuss the problems with the traditional narrative and the ways that an approach centered on the actions of indigenous Mexicans is more accurate and more interesting. Did Montezuma really surrender? Did he give away his empire in his speech to Cortes? Did Cortes kidnap Montezuma? Did Aztecs really believe Cortes was a returning Aztec god? Listen to find out these answers and more. 

 

See here for a teaching worksheet for this episode at my website

https://www.davidsherrin.com/cwh

 

Additional books recommended by Matthew Restall:

Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend

On Savage Shores by Caroline Dodds-Pennock