Америка в прошлом и настоящем. Часть I. Горчакова Е.П - 25 стр.

suffered incredible torments. Many had died of hunger, of thirst, and of disease.
Their captain, Magellan, had been killed by natives in the Philippines. But the
starving survivors who brought the Victoria home were heroes. They had been
gone for three years, and had sailed around the world. It had taken them more than
three months just to cross Balboa's blue sea. But they had proved that America was
nowhere near Asia. For the Europeans, it was a new world.

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     In 1519, the Spanish explorer Cortes sailed to the shores of eastern Mexico
with 11 ships and about 600 men. As soon as he landed, he was attacked by
thousands of Native Americans. These Natives Americans feared the strange men
who had come from the East in their ships. But they were not able to conquer1 the
small group of Spaniards. The Native Americans had never seen horses before. They
had never heard the sound of gunpowder. Confused by the large animals and the
booming2 guns, they retreated3 to the nearby hills.
      After this victory, Cortes began to hear about a wonderful empire to the
west. The Aztec people had conquered many other native groups. They now
ruled over most of central Mexico. Their capital, Tenochtitlan (present-day
Mexico City) was a city of beauty and wealth. Their king, Montezuma, was a
rich and powerful leader.
      Cortes decided to cross the mountains of Mexico in search of Tenochtitlan and
its wonders. But first he wanted to be sure that his men would follow him on this
dangerous trip. So he destroyed his ships. Unable to retreat to Cuba, their home
base, the Spaniards followed their leader into the inland territory of the Aztec.
      As he traveled west, Cortes was joined by many Native American groups. They
wanted to rebel against their fierce conquerors, the Aztec.
      Of course, some people remained faithful to Montezuma. They soon told their
leader that the strangers were approaching. But Montezuma decided not to kill the
invaders.4 According to Aztec religion, ancient gods would someday return to Mexico
from the East. Montezuma thought that perhaps these strangers were the promised gods.
      At first, the Spaniards were welcome in Tenochtitlan. But soon, realizing that
their own survival was in danger, the Aztec began to mistrust5 the newcomers. They
killed their own king, Montezuma, because of his friendship with Cortes. Then a
battle broke out between the Spaniards and the Aztec. Cortes escaped from the
capital with some of his soldiers, but many of the Spaniards were killed in
Tenochtitlan.
      Determined to conquer Tenochtitlan, Cortes planned a second march on the
city. He prepared for this battle for over a year. This time, he knew the city. He was

1
  conquer: defeat
2
  boom: a large noise
3
  retreat: run away
4
  invaders: strangers who come to conquer a land
5
  mistrust: have no confidence in

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