The Aztec empire was a powerful civilization that ruled much of central and southern Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. However, this empire ultimately fell to the Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century. There are several reasons for the fall of the Aztec empire, including internal conflicts, external threats, and the arrival of the Spanish.
One major factor in the fall of the Aztec empire was internal conflict. The Aztec empire was composed of many different city-states, each with its own ruler. These city-states were often in competition with one another, and this competition could lead to conflict and even warfare. Additionally, the Aztec empire was ruled by a powerful emperor, who was often at odds with the rulers of the various city-states. This internal conflict weakened the empire and made it more vulnerable to external threats.
Another reason for the fall of the Aztec empire was the presence of external threats. The Aztec empire was surrounded by other powerful civilizations, such as the Tarascans and the Tlaxcaltecas, who were often in conflict with the Aztecs. These external threats drained the empire's resources and weakened its military.
However, the most significant factor in the fall of the Aztec empire was the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish, led by Hernán Cortés, arrived in Mexico in the early 16th century with a small but well-equipped army. The Aztecs were no match for the superior weaponry and tactics of the Spanish, and they were quickly defeated. The Spanish also brought diseases with them, such as smallpox and measles, which decimated the Aztec population.
In conclusion, the fall of the Aztec empire was due to a combination of internal conflicts, external threats, and the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. These factors weakened the empire and made it vulnerable to conquest.
What Caused the Aztec Empire to Fall? Scientists Uncover New Clues
With Rome, we saw how increasingly futile wars and conquests drained the resources of the empire, until angry mobs were stampeding the streets and the barbarians ransacked the city. The Spanish had an advantage over native peoples because the former had guns, cannons, and horses. Some negative effects were:- The leader of the Aztec Empire was killed meaning there was no one to lead the army, so they collapsed. Since the Aztecs had everything the Spaniards wanted, it was likely that a battle between the two was bound to happen. On August 13th 1521 after several months of unequal battles, Techochtitlien, this was the capital of the Empire, was captured and fell to the Spanish.
What were 3 major reasons for the fall of the Aztec empire?
They were powerful warriors that conquered and raided neighbouring cities. Between 1545 and 1550, Aztecs from southern Mexico experienced a deadly outbreak of a mysterious illness, that took anywhere between 5 million and 15 million lives, nearly 80% of the population! The Aztecs made the people they conquered pay tribute, or give them cotton, gold, or food. They would tax subjects but mostly leave them to their own devices as opposed to the European method of religious conversion and colonization. Mesoamerican empires were mostly about indirect political control. Aztec enemies allied themselves with Spanish invaders.
What are the three main reasons the Aztecs lost to the Spanish during the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire?
It was written in Britain, Duke University. The Franciscan had lived for years among the Maya as a slave and eventually as a warrior, and could speak some of the Yucatec Mayan languages, translating between Malintzin and Cortés. Mexican Revolution Essay 1237 Words 5 Pages The people of Mexico wanted to get their land back, however there was so much to do in order to obtain the land back and the poor people could not do. Or how could the Aztec empire fall to a small group of Spanish invaders? However, it all came crashing down at the hands of Hernan Cortez and the conquistadors in 1521. It is highly probable that this chief priest named Tenoch founded the city himself. The Aztecs triggered their relationship with the Spaniards by holding a ritual for the arrival of the god which included a human sacrifice. University of Oklahoma Press.
Aztec Empire
Further research should focus on other sources which contain information about disease and starvation to see whether they have substantial data. The article is reliable because it drew its information from the original letters of Cortes and the works of Benard Diaz, both of which were present during the fall of the empire. The Great Empire: The Conquest Of The Aztec Empire 731 Words 3 Pages Aztec Empire The Aztecs were a great Empire that lasted approximately 200 years. Bibliography Brooks, Francis J. Lacking food and ravaged by smallpox disease earlier introduced by one of the Spaniards, the Aztecs, now led by Cuauhtemoc, finally collapsed after 93 days of resistance on the fateful day of 13th of August, 1521 CE.