Question

Montezuma II, the leader of the "Arawak people of Brazil", fell out of favor with his subjects over his response to the Spanish conquest. What was Montezuma II's response to the Spanish conquest?

1) He welcomed the Spanish and offered them assistance.
2) He fought against the Spanish and tried to defend his people.
3) He surrendered to the Spanish and accepted their rule.
4) He ignored the Spanish and focused on internal matters.

Answer 1

Montezuma II welcomed Hernán Cortés with hospitality, indicating a level of acceptance towards Spanish dominance, which led to his initial cooperation with the Spanish but eventually to his downfall.

Step-by-step explanation:

The response of Montezuma II to the Spanish conquest was initially one of hospitality and cooperation. Upon the arrival of Hernán Cortés and his forces, Montezuma welcomed them and is reported to have considered the Spanish King as their natural lord.

Montezuma's acceptance of Cortés and his men set the stage for the eventual downfall of the Aztec Empire. Despite Montezuma's willingness to engage and his attempts to be accommodating, the Spanish took him hostage.

This act, along with the Spanish's later actions, including the massacre during a festival and the eventual siege of Tenochtitlán, led to the disfavor of Montezuma among his subjects before his empire was ultimately conquered.

Thus, the correct answer to the student's question about Montezuma II's response to the Spanish conquest is that he welcomed the Spanish and offered them assistance.