An independent republic surrounded by the Aztec Empire that refused to submit despite being completely encircled. The Tlaxcalans maintained a senate-style government and later allied with Spanish conquistadors, providing the majority of soldiers who actually conquered the Aztec capital.
Wilhelm Sievers (1860 - 1921), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A Republic Surrounded
By 1519, the Republic of Tlaxcala was an independent enclave completely encircled by the vast Aztec Empire. For over a century, the Tlaxcalans had resisted Aztec domination, maintaining their own form of government which differed from the monarchical system of their neighbors. Tlaxcala was a confederation of four city-states, known as altepetl: Tepeticpac, Ocotelulco, Tizatlan, and Quiahuiztlan. This confederation was governed by a council, or senate, of lords representing each state, creating a merit-based political system rather than a hereditary monarchy.
This fierce independence came at a cost. The Aztecs subjected Tlaxcala to an economic blockade, cutting off access to important goods like salt and cotton. The two powers were in an almost constant state of conflict, engaging in so-called "Flower Wars" (Xochiyaoyotl). These ritualized battles were not for outright conquest but were intended to capture warriors for religious sacrifices, ensuring a state of perpetual, low-level warfare between the rival powers. This long-standing animosity and isolation led to a dramatic shift in the region's power dynamics with the arrival of Europeans.
The Alliance that Toppled an Empire
When Hernán Cortés and his expedition arrived in 1519, their first encounter with the Tlaxcalans was violent. Tlaxcalan forces, commanded by Xicotencatl the Younger, fought the Spanish fiercely in several battles. However, the Tlaxcalan senate, recognizing the potential of a powerful new ally against their traditional Aztec enemies, ultimately decided to negotiate. This decision led to one of the most significant military alliances in history.
The Tlaxcalans became the principal indigenous allies of the Spanish. They provided the bulk of the military force that marched on the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Estimates of the number of Tlaxcalan warriors range from tens of thousands to over 100,000, dwarfing the few hundred Spanish soldiers. This combined army, after a brutal 75-day siege, captured Tenochtitlan on August 13, 1521. In recognition of their indispensable role, the Spanish Crown granted Tlaxcala unique privileges. The republic was allowed to maintain a high degree of political autonomy, its nobility was recognized, and its people were exempted from the tributes and taxes imposed on other conquered peoples. This special status allowed Tlaxcala to preserve its identity and continue as a self-governing "Indian republic" well into the colonial period.
💡Fun Facts
The name Tlaxcala (Tlaxcallān) means "place of corn tortillas" in the Nahuatl language.
The Tlaxcalan perspective of the conquest is recorded in the Lienzo de Tlaxcala, a 16th-century pictorial codex that portrays them as the primary conquerors, and not assistants to the Spanish.
After the fall of Tenochtitlan, Tlaxcalan soldiers continued to aid the Spanish in military campaigns, helping to establish new settlements as far north as modern-day Texas.
The Tlaxcalan nobility and their descendants were granted the status of *hidalgos* (nobles) in perpetuity by the Spanish Crown, a privilege that included the right to carry arms and ride horses.
The Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), home to historical murals, is generally open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Admission
Visiting the murals in the Government Palace is free. Nearby archaeological sites like Cacaxtla-Xochitécatl have an admission fee (check with INAH for current prices).
Accessibility
The historic center of Tlaxcala is mostly flat with cobblestone streets. The Cacaxtla archaeological site involves walking on a large, mostly covered but uneven platform.
