The Fall of the Aztecs

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived on the coast of Mexico with around 500 soldiers, marking the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Hernán Cortés and his forces enter Tenochtitlan and meet the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II, initiating a tense relationship between the Spaniards and the Aztec leadership.

Cortés and his forces marched to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán. Upon arrival, they managed to capture the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II, effectively taking control of the city.

During a festival, Spanish soldiers attacked Aztec nobles and priests in the Great Temple, leading to widespread violence and the death of many Aztec leaders.

After a series of battles and increasing resistance, Cortés and his forces were forced to flee Tenochtitlán. The retreat was costly, with many Spanish soldiers and their allies losing their lives.

Moctezuma II died under disputed circumstances, either killed by the Spanish or by his own people. His death further destabilized the Aztec Empire.

Cortés and his allied forces laid siege to Tenochtitlán, cutting off supplies and eventually conquering the city after a prolonged battle.

The final fall of Tenochtitlán marked the end of the Aztec Empire. The city was systematically destroyed, and the remaining inhabitants were subjugated.