The Forgotten Victims: African Slaves in the Conquest of Mexico episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 26, 2026 · 8 MIN

The Forgotten Victims: African Slaves in the Conquest of Mexico

from The Conquistadors: Exploration, Greed, and Destruction — Fexingo History · host Fexingo

This episode shifts focus from the well-known Spanish conquistadors and Indigenous allies to the hundreds of African slaves and free black men who fought in the conquest of Mexico. Lucas and Luna examine the little-known story of Juan Garrido, a free black conquistador who accompanied Cortés and later wrote a petition listing his services. They discuss the role of African auxiliaries in the siege of Tenochtitlan, the first black slaves brought to the mainland, and how their presence complicates the narrative of European vs. Indigenous conflict. The episode draws on primary sources like the Florentine Codex and Garrido's own words, revealing a multi-ethnic conquest that historians are only beginning to fully explore. It also touches on the early colonial caste system and the gradual erasure of African contributions from the historical record. #AfricanSlaves #ConquestOfMexico #JuanGarrido #BlackConquistadors #AfroMexicans #Tenochtitlan #HernanCortes #FlorentineCodex #NewSpain #Slavery #ColonialLatinAmerica #Mesoamerica #History #FexingoHistory #HiddenHistories #AfricanDiaspora #Conquistadors #RaceInHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

This episode shifts focus from the well-known Spanish conquistadors and Indigenous allies to the hundreds of African slaves and free black men who fought in the conquest of Mexico. Lucas and Luna examine the little-known story of Juan Garrido, a free black conquistador who accompanied Cortés and later wrote a petition listing his services. They discuss the role of African auxiliaries in the siege of Tenochtitlan, the first black slaves brought to the mainland, and how their presence complicates the narrative of European vs. Indigenous conflict. The episode draws on primary sources like the Florentine Codex and Garrido's own words, revealing a multi-ethnic conquest that historians are only beginning to fully explore. It also touches on the early colonial caste system and the gradual erasure of African contributions from the historical record. #AfricanSlaves #ConquestOfMexico #JuanGarrido #BlackConquistadors #AfroMexicans #Tenochtitlan #HernanCortes #FlorentineCodex #NewSpain #Slavery #ColonialLatinAmerica #Mesoamerica #History #FexingoHistory #HiddenHistories #AfricanDiaspora #Conquistadors #RaceInHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

NOW PLAYING

The Forgotten Victims: African Slaves in the Conquest of Mexico

0:00 8:29

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Conquistadors: Exploration, Greed, and Destruction — Fexingo History?

This episode is 8 minutes long.

When was this The Conquistadors: Exploration, Greed, and Destruction — Fexingo History episode published?

This episode was published on June 26, 2026.

What is this episode about?

This episode shifts focus from the well-known Spanish conquistadors and Indigenous allies to the hundreds of African slaves and free black men who fought in the conquest of Mexico. Lucas and Luna examine the little-known story of Juan Garrido, a...

Can I download this The Conquistadors: Exploration, Greed, and Destruction — Fexingo History episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!