Why did Cortes fight the Tlaxcalans? He wanted their weapons.1He wanted their gold.2He wanted their armour.3He wanted them to fight the Aztecs.4

Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, fought the Tlaxcalans initially due to a misunderstanding and mistrust. However, the primary reason was strategic rather than materialistic. Here are the steps explaining why:

1. Initial Conflict: When Cortés and his men arrived in Tlaxcala, the Tlaxcalans initially resisted because they were wary of the intentions of these foreign invaders. This led to initial conflicts.

2. No Desire for Weapons or Gold: Cortés was not primarily interested in the Tlaxcalans' weapons or gold. The Spanish had superior weaponry, and the Tlaxcalans were not particularly rich in gold.

3. No Desire for Armour: Similarly, Cortés did not fight the Tlaxcalans for their armour. The Spanish had their own armour, which was superior to that of the Tlaxcalans.

4. Alliance Against the Aztecs: The main reason Cortés fought the Tlaxcalans was to subdue them and then forge an alliance. The Tlaxcalans were enemies of the Aztecs, who were the most powerful empire in the region. Cortés wanted the Tlaxcalans to join him in his fight against the Aztecs. After several battles, the Tlaxcalans realized that the Spanish could be powerful allies against the Aztecs, and they agreed to join forces with Cortés.

So, the primary reason Cortés fought the Tlaxcalans was to secure their alliance in his campaign against the Aztecs.