is the statement true or false the Spanish recruited thousands of support from the people the Aztec had conquered

The statement is generally true.

When the Spanish arrived in the region that is now Mexico in the early 16th century, they took advantage of existing tensions and resentments among various indigenous groups, including those who had been conquered by the Aztecs. The Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, in particular, sought alliances with these groups as he advanced toward the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.

Some key points:

1. Alliances with Indigenous Groups:

• Cortés and his expedition formed alliances with indigenous groups such as the Tlaxcalans, who were traditional enemies of the Aztecs. These alliances provided the Spanish with crucial military support.

2. Resentment towards Aztecs:

• The Aztecs, through their tributary system, had subjugated and extracted tribute from various surrounding city-states. This had created resentment and grievances among these subjugated groups.

3. Role of Malintzin (La Malinche):

• Malintzin, also known as La Malinche or Doña Marina, played a significant role as a translator and intermediary for Cortés. She was originally from a Nahua-speaking region and had been given to the Spanish as a slave. Her linguistic skills and understanding of indigenous politics were crucial in forming alliances.

4. Alliance with Tlaxcala:

• The Tlaxcalans, who had a history of conflict with the Aztecs, joined forces with the Spanish against the Aztec Empire. This alliance was instrumental in the eventual fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521.

While the Spanish did have indigenous allies in their conquest of the Aztec Empire, it's essential to note that this alliance-building was complex, and the motivations of different indigenous groups varied. Some allied with the Spanish out of a desire to break free from Aztec domination, while others may have had their own political calculations.

The conquest of the Aztec Empire involved a combination of military strategies, alliances, technological advantages, and exploitation of existing political dynamics among the indigenous peoples of the region.