1. How does Aguilar account for the Spanish victory?

Aguilar accounts for the Spanish victory by describing their victorious advantages over the
Aztecs. For example, “As soon as the Spaniards took any of the houses, which were all on the water,
they had the Tlaxcalan Indians demolish and level them, for this gave more freedom to maneuver.” This
reveals that they had help the Tlaxcalan Indians which let the Spanish gain ability to maneuver more,
this allow their chance of victory to dramatically increase. To add on, “This done, the Spaniards seized
the house that had been Cuauhtemoc’s stronghold, where they found a great quantity of gold and
jewels and other plunder. The Tlaxcalans, who were assisting us in the war . . . , knew [the city’s] ins and
outs,” This shows that their victory resulted in great riches due to the effectiveness of alliance with the
Tlaxcalans and a successful conquest.

2. How does he portray the Spanish and the Aztecs?

Aguilar portrays the Spanish and Aztecs by the Spaniards as conquerors to the Aztecs. An
example is, “With Spanish forces encircling the city and with the brigantines [warships], which were a
great help on the lake, the city [Tenochtitlán] began to be battered by land and water.” This explains
Aguilar’s perspective of the Spanish as a force invading with advantages like the brigantines. In addition,
“The war was sustained fiercely by both sides… while the Aztecs [had the advantage of] their rooftops
and high buildings from which they battered us” This reveals that Aztecs were defending themselves as
they were under attack from the Spanish by using their buildings to stop the raid.