Fall Of The Aztec Empire Essay

Diego C. Guillen
Dr. William Skuban
History 3
9 February 2017
Fall of the Aztec Empire The Aztecs were a sedentary, highly advanced, and militantly powerful empire ruled by a dominant leader named Montezuma. For an empire like this to be defeated by foreigners, using simple force alone would not be able to conquer this civilization. Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, arrived in Mesoamerica and between 1519 and 1521 and would war against the Mexica in attempt to claim the Aztec empire for the glory of Spain. It is how Cortés was able to take over the Aztecs capital, Tenochtitlan, is what’s interesting as it shows how not just one singular factor was the cause for the Aztecs defeat, but a multitude for it. Numerous factors led to the defeat of the Aztecs by Cortés and his army, but those most prominent to Cortés’ victory would be the translation assistance from la Malinche, the military tactics that were displayed by both Aztecs and Cortés, the handicap of smallpox on the Aztecs, and most importantly the organization of
Many factors contributed to the fall of Mexcia. Doña Marina gave assistance to Cortés in communication. With the tactics of Cortés using manipulation, he used the opportunity of telling Montezuma that they are friends, which gave him an opportunity to kill him. Another factor that would aid to Cortés is the disease of small pox they had given to the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan, which would wound survivors trying to get back on their feet. Finally most importantly is the alliance that Cortés made with the enemies of the Aztecs, most prominently the Tlaxcala. As with their support they could withstand the force of the Aztec army and over a long period of war and battle would lead to the Aztecs surrendering. All these factors together, with the Alliance of Aztec enemies being an important one, is what led to the fall of the Aztec empire and the triumph of Hernán