The Indigenous Allies Who Built Spanish America

Beyond the familiar story of Cortés and the Tlaxcalans, the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica relied on tens of thousands of indigenous allies from dozens of ethnic groups. This episode explores the strategic alliances, betrayals, and complex motivations of native peoples who fought alongside the invaders—from the Totonac of Cempoala to the Otomí and Chichimec warriors who later became the backbone of colonial militias. We examine how local rivalries, like the hatred between Tlaxcala and the Mexica, were exploited by Spanish commanders, but also how indigenous leaders like Xicotencatl the Younger negotiated fiercely for their people's autonomy. The conversation also touches on the long-term consequences: many allied communities, such as the Tlaxcalans, received special privileges and exemptions from the encomienda system, while others were eventually subjugated despite their contributions. Drawing on indigenous codices like the Lienzo de Tlaxcala and Spanish accounts, we reconstruct the perspectives of these often-overlooked participants in the conquest. #IndigenousAllies #Tlaxcala #Cempoala #Totonac #Otomi #Chichimec #Xicotencatl #LienzoDeTlaxcala #ConquestOfMexico #SpanishColonialism #Mesoamerica #HernanCortes #LaMalinche #Nahuatl #MilitaryHistory #NewSpain #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo