Excerpt 2 from William H. Prescott’s History of the Conquest of Mexico, 1843 In this perplexity, Cortes proposed an expedient, which none but the most daring spirit, in the most desperate extremity, would have conceived. This was, to march to the royal palace, and bring Montezuma to the Spanish quarters, by fair means if they could persuade him, by force if necessary—at all events, to get possession of his person. With such a pledge, the Spaniards would be secure from the assault of the Mexicans, afraid by acts of violence to compromise the safety of their prince. If he came by his own consent, they would be deprived of all apology for doing so. As long as the emperor remained among the Spaniards, it would be easy, by allowing him a show of sovereignty, to rule in his name, until they had taken measures for securing their safety, and the success of their enterprise. The idea of employing a sovereign as a tool for the government of his own kingdom, if a new one in the age of Cortes, is certainly not so in ours. Question Use the excerpt from William H. Prescott’s History of the Conquest of Mexico to answer the question. Which conclusion about the influence of Montezuma among the Mexican people, given Cortés’s plan, is best supported by the excerpt? (1 point) Responses He was still very influential as the legitimate ruler of Mexico. He was still very influential as the legitimate ruler of Mexico. He was more influential among the people of Spain than Mexico. He was more influential among the people of Spain than Mexico. His influence was directly tied to his power to drive out the Spanish. His influence was directly tied to his power to drive out the Spanish. His influence was contingent upon his ability to move freely about the city.

1 answer

The conclusion about the influence of Montezuma among the Mexican people that is best supported by the excerpt is:

He was still very influential as the legitimate ruler of Mexico.

This is evident from Cortés's plan to bring Montezuma to the Spanish quarters, which implies that Montezuma's presence and authority as emperor would provide the Spaniards with a significant advantage. The suggestion that the Spaniards could use him as a "tool for the government of his own kingdom" indicates that they recognized his status and influence among the Mexican people as a legitimate ruler, and sought to leverage that to secure their own safety and control.