Forced Labor and Exploitation:
- Cortes and his men imposed forced labor on the indigenous peoples, forcing them to work in gold and silver mines, as well as in agriculture, construction, and as servants.
- The workers were often subjected to harsh working conditions, long hours, and inadequate compensation, leading to widespread misery and exploitation.
Tribute and Economic Burdens:
- The indigenous communities were forced to pay heavy tributes to Cortes and his men, often consisting of gold, silver, precious stones, and other valuable resources.
- These excessive tributes placed a significant burden on the communities and depleted their resources, leading to economic hardship and resentment.
Disease and Epidemics:
- The arrival of the Spanish brought devastating diseases such as smallpox, measles, and typhus to the indigenous populations, against which they had no immunity.
- These epidemics decimated the native population, wiping out entire communities and further weakening their ability to resist Cortes's conquest.
Violence and Brutality:
- Cortes's conquest was characterized by violence, brutality, and massacres.
- Indigenous people who resisted or disobeyed faced severe punishments, including execution, torture, and enslavement.
- Women were often subjected to sexual abuse and violence.
Cultural Suppression:
- Cortes and his men sought to impose Spanish culture, religion, and language on the indigenous peoples, suppressing their traditional practices, beliefs, and ways of life.
- This cultural suppression led to the loss of indigenous heritage and identity.
Political and Social Disruption:
- Cortes's conquest disrupted existing political and social structures, leading to instability, chaos, and the loss of traditional leadership.
- Indigenous communities were fragmented and their autonomy eroded.
Overall, the living conditions under Hernan Cortes were marked by exploitation, violence, disease, and cultural disruption, which had devastating consequences for the indigenous populations of Mexico.