Was Cortés' success solely due to technology?
Some claim our victory was solely a matter of superior arms, but that is a simplistic view. While the horses and the cannon were indeed the sinews of war, they were but one element. I saw with my own eyes how crucial diplomacy was in gathering allies who chafed under Aztec dominion. Strategy, the understanding of terrain, the swift adaptation to changing circumstances—these were equally vital. Our capacity for siege warfare, for building and provisioning, and for maintaining morale under duress were as important as any arquebus. Technology provided the edge, but shrewd leadership and alliances delivered the victory.
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