Final answer:
The Spanish conquest of the Aztecs was motivated by the search for gold and religious justifications. Superior weaponry, military alliances, and diseases contributed to their success, although the Aztecs initially defeated the Spanish in La Noche Triste. Judging the morality of the conquest is subjective, influenced by historical context and modern perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether it was right or wrong for the Spanish to defeat the Aztecs and take their gold is a complex question that involves interpreting historical events through moral and ethical lenses, which can vary depending on the context and perspective. Motivations for the Spanish conquest included the search for wealth, particularly gold, as described by Christopher Columbus, and the perceived duty to defeat non-Christian enemies, as reflected in the Spanish wars in their homeland. The Spanish initially encountered the Aztecs during a religious festival and chose this moment to attack likely because the festival provided an opportunity when the Aztecs might have been more vulnerable or distracted.
The competing accounts of the Spanish arrival, one from Hernán Cortés and another from the Aztecs, present vastly different perspectives. Historians must evaluate such texts critically, taking into account biases, the context in which they were written, and cross-referencing with other sources.
The military success of the Spanish, despite their smaller numbers, is attributable to superior weaponry and military tactics, the introduction of diseases like smallpox, and strategic alliances with other indigenous groups that were oppressed by the Aztec Empire. But it is also important to note events like La Noche Triste, where the Aztecs dealt a serious defeat to the Spanish, which complicates the narrative of an outright Spanish victory.
The question of whether the conquest was justified is ultimately subjective. It can be influenced by both historical context and modern ethical perspectives, leading to different conclusions about the actions taken by the Spanish during the conquest.