Leadership of the indigenous rulers

Before discussing the leadership of the Indigenous rulers during the

Spanish conquest, it is important to know how the leadership structure of
these societies functioned. At the top of the Aztec hierarchy was the
Emperor who was referred to as “Tlatoani”, who served as both a political
and religious leader. This stature was appointed based on military
accomplishments, leadership qualities and merit. The Tlatoani in power
during the Spanish arrival was Montezuma II. On the opposite side, the
Inca emperor was known as the “Sapa Inca” who was regarded as heavenly,
the "Child of the Sun." The emperor had total control, and succession was
usually through the royal line, with the monarch frequently selecting a
successor. Atahualpa was the Inca emperor appointed at the time of the
Spanish conquest.

“The peoples of Mexico were in 1519 ruled by a monarchy of greater

sophistication than were the little chieftainships of the Caribbean before
Columbus.” (Hugh Thomas) which can be attributed to their advanced
societies. Beginning with Montezuma II, the ninth emperor of the Aztec
empire, who was appointed following the death of his uncle Ahuitzotl in
1502. Montezuma II is frequently connected to the magnificence and
prosperity of the Aztec Empire. During his reign, the Aztec Empire's capital
city of Tenochtitlan saw the expansion of the Templo Mayor, among other
large architectural undertakings. He was a key figure in managing
religious rites, such as those honoring the gods Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli.
Montezuma II was famed for his diplomatic skills. Under his administration,
the region experienced a degree of relative peace as he maintained ties
with other city-states within the Aztec Empire but there were also
difficulties, such as sporadic uprisings and rebellions. Despite these
achievements he had poor mental health; he was hysterical and
depressed. In addition, he was superstitious, thinking that his reign over
the empire was about to cease when he witnessed the meteor. He had
already given up mentally, which would have made him less of a leader.
In addition, he ruled the empire harshly, which made him many enemies.
Hernán Cortés and the Spanish conquistadors' entrance in 1519 was one
of the most important occasions in Montezuma II's rule. At first,
Montezuma welcomed the Spanish with copious presents, thinking Cortés
might be the god Quetzalcoatl making an appearance. Historians
frequently disagree about Montezuma's response to the Spanish arrival.
Some think that he may have first attempted to use diplomacy to influence
or placate the Spanish, while others contend that he was immobilized by
indecision. Amidst growing hostilities between the Spanish and the Aztecs,
Hernán Cortés captured Montezuma II in 1520. His imprisonment was a
turning point in Aztec history, and the people turned against him because
they believed he had been conspiring with the Spanish. In 1520,
Montezuma passed away under suspicious circumstances. Some accounts
claim that the Spanish killed him, while others claim that upon the Spanish
withdrawal from Tenochtitlan, he was stoned to death by his own people.
The mix of Montezuma II's military prowess, artistic accomplishments, and
diplomatic savvy defined his rule. Nonetheless, Montezuma's legacy was
significantly impacted by the Spanish encounter and the subsequent fall
of the Aztec Empire under Cortés, which shaped the historical narrative
around his reign.

Secondly, the Inca Empire was ruled by Atahualpa, who struggled to rise to
power due to a dispute with their half-brother Hauscar. After numerous
battles Atahualpa emerged triumphant, cementing his position as
emperor of the Inca Empire in 1532. This battle left the Inca empire divided
when the Spanish arrived, which made it more susceptible for invasion.
Atahualpa was in good spirits after winning the war against Hauscar, thus
he saw no need to enhance the Inca defense system. Atahualpa, first
unsure of the Spanish intentions, agreed to meet with Pizarro in
Cajamarca. He underestimated the Spaniards' intentions when he ordered
his men to be unarmed when they met. Furthermore, he was more
pompous, as he did not kindly welcome the Spaniards into his empire.
There was also a form of ignorance because he believed he had more
warriors or soldiers than the Spaniards possessed. This proved to be an
unwise move, as the Spanish launched a surprise attack during the
meeting, eventually capturing Atahualpa. While in captivity, Atahualpa
negotiated with the Spanish. In order to get his freedom, he offered a
sizable ransom in gold and silver. A room should be filled with gold and
twice as full of silver with this ransom. Even when Atahualpa paid the
requested ransom, Pizarro did not immediately set him free. Recognizing
the Inca emperor's strategic importance, Pizarro kept him under captivity.
Atahualpa was subjected to a trial by the Spanish, where charges were
brought against him. Atahualpa was executed by strangling at the stake in
1533. The challenging circumstances that Atahualpa encountered, such as
the aftermath of the civil war with his half-brother and the unanticipated
confrontation with the Spanish, are frequently considered when evaluating
his leadership. The moment he was captured and put to death impacted
the course of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. The death of
Atahualpa contributed to the overall collapse of Inca resistance, as the
Spanish consolidated their control over the region.