Conquering the nation

Aztecs were terrific warriors. Montezuma, the emperor of the Aztec nation, observed Spanish soldiers and was informed that they drove horses and fired guns.

600 Spanish soldiers conquered the huge Aztec Empire - how is this possible?

Montezuma was informed that the people living in the coast saw floating mountains across the water. He had warnings of the arrival of the fair-skinned bearded strangers. A fair-skinned stranger landed on the east coast. The Aztecs welcomed him as Quetzalcoatl. He was the Spanish conquistador Cortes. When the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes landed on the coast of Mexico in 1519, the Aztec Emperor thought he was a returning god. Montezuma believed the Spanish explorer to be Quetzalcoatl, who, at his death, said he would return one day to govern the land. Montezuma sent the approaching Spaniards rich gifts of gold and silver, showed no resistance and wanted that they will turn back. Cortes and his companions enjoyed the hospitality of the emperor and were even more motivated by the presents.

In November 1519 the capture of the emperor was carried out. Cortes attempted to govern through him. The situation was so desperate that Aztecs rebelled against the Spanish army and in July 1520 Montezuma was killed in this fight, he was stoned to death by his own people.

Hernando Cortes, with just 600 soldiers and a few cannons, overthrew thousands of mighty Aztec warriors. The Spanish attempted to escape one night, known as the La Noche Triste ("The Sorrowful Night"). It helped to end the conquest, Hernan Cortes' expedition was nearly annihilated in the Aztec capital.

For 75 days, the Aztec warriors fought the Spaniards and their Indian allies through the streets of Tenochtitlan. The fighting ended only after the last defenders were cut down. The Spanish cannons and guns proved too much for the Aztecs and in the summer of 1521 they were defeated and their last king was executed. On 31 August 1521 the destruction was completed.

There were several factors in the downfall of the Aztecs. The Spanish had firearms and drove horses. No Aztec weapon made from stone or bone could compete with cannon and gun.

Cortes used Indian allies, so Indians fought against Indians. 75 000 fighting man of Aztec Empire were defeated. The important role played linguistically skilled Indian woman called Doña Marina / La Malinche. She enabled Cortes to negotiate rather than slaughter. Her ability to communicate was tremendous. Her contribution to the success of the Conquest is immense, but she cannot be held responsible for it happening.

The Aztecs were feared by supernatural elements. They believed in gods and therefore had to act according to various legends. Cortes had a tool of political intrigue - he turned Indians against Indians. It was his human thirst for adventure and greed which helped him to conquer Aztecs.

After the fall of Tenochtitlan, the new city - Mexico City emerged in its ruins. The new period of Mexico began, Indian and European cultures were fused together and The Republic of Mexico came into existence.