Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest, 1519-1535 Study Guide

The conquest of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his indigenous allies between 1519 and 1521, marks a pivotal moment in world history. Understanding this event requires examining a complex interplay of factors, including Spanish military and technological advantages, internal divisions within the Aztec Empire, the devastating impact of European diseases, and Cortés's strategic brilliance. Key aspects to consider are the initial arrival of the Spanish and their interactions with Aztec emperor Moctezuma II, the Spanish 'Noche Triste' (Night of Sorrows) when they were driven out of Tenochtitlan, and their eventual return and siege of the city. The Spanish brought steel weapons, gunpowder, cannons, and horses, which were alien to the Aztecs. However, their numbers were small. Cortés skillfully exploited the resentment of tributary states towards Aztec rule, forming alliances with groups like the Tlaxcalans. The spread of smallpox, to which indigenous populations had no immunity, decimated the Aztec population, including their leaders, severely weakening their ability to resist. The siege itself was a brutal affair, lasting for months, with the Spanish cutting off food and water supplies. The fall of Tenochtitlan on August 13, 1521, led to the collapse of the Aztec Empire and paved the way for Spanish colonization of Mesoamerica. Evaluating this event involves considering its long-term consequences for both the indigenous peoples and European powers, highlighting themes of cultural clash, imperialism, and the devastating effects of disease.