Andrea Martinez Baracs, historian: Indigenous allies saved the Spanish on the Night of Sorrows'

"Historical enemies of the Mexica people, the Tlaxcalan rulers decided to ally themselves with the Spaniards led by Hernan Cortes after initially fighting against them. They participated in the entry into Tenochtitlan, its final siege, and other campaigns of conquest. In Mexican historiography, they have been portrayed as traitors, although this view is quite simplistic. Question. In what sense was it a real alliance and not an immediate subordination? Answer. We can say both."

"In every town they passed through, the Spanish encountered resistance. The Tlaxcalans did everything possible to avoid defeat. But they were careful not to appear defeated and have their city sacked. They had never been defeated by the Triple Alliance (the political-military bloc that gave rise to the Aztec empire). And they fiercely defended their status as an undefeated nation against the Spanish."

"Q. Did this prove useful? A. A great deal, to both sides. First, for strategic reasons during the war of conquest. The Tlaxcalans were enemies of the Triple Alliance. They supported the Spanish with great resolve and intelligence in the conquest of the Mesoamerican peoples, both before and after the fall of Tenochtitlan. They knew many things the Spanish did not: weak points, for example."

Tlaxcalan rulers allied with Spaniards led by Hernan Cortes after initial combat, joining Tenochtitlan's entry, siege, and other conquest campaigns. Mexican historiography often portrays them as traitors, but that view is simplistic. The alliance combined strategic partnership and retained Tlaxcalan autonomy; they avoided appearing defeated and preserved undefeated status against both the Triple Alliance and the Spanish. Tlaxcalan knowledge of local terrain, weak points, and regional politics proved critical, making the partnership one of necessity and mutual military benefit during conquest.

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