Fall of Tenochtitlan

Quick Facts: Who was Fall of Tenochtitlan?

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Fall of Tenochtitlan

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The 1521 conquest of Tenochtitlan by the Spanish Empire and indigenous allies.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica, was an important event in the Spanish conquest of the Mexica. It occurred in 1521 following extensive negotiations between local factions and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. He was aided by La Malinche, his interpreter and companion, and by thousands of indigenous allies, especially Tlaxcaltec warriors. Although numerous battles were fought between the Mexica and the Spanish-led coalition, which was composed mainly of Tlaxcaltec men, it was the siege of Tenochtitlan that directly led to the fall of the Aztec civilization and the ensuing sacking and violence against the survivors. The indigenous population at the time was devastated due to a smallpox epidemic, which killed much of its leadership.

Career & Major Achievements

Because smallpox had been endemic in Spain for centuries, the Spanish had developed an acquired immunity and were affected relatively little in the epidemic. The conquest of the Mexica was a critical stage in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. In April 1519, Hernán Cortés, a nobleman recently landed in present-day Cuba and the leader of the third Spanish expedition to the coast of what is now known as Mexico, landed at San Juan de Ulúa, a high-quality harbour on Mexico's east coast, with 508 soldiers, 100 sailors, and 14 small cannons. (Survivors of the previous two expeditions directed him to this harbour.) Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, the Governor of Cuba, called for Cortés to lead an expedition into Mexico after favourable reports from two previous expeditions to Yucatán caught the interest of the Spanish in Cuba. Under pressure by his relatives, who had a different leader in mind, Velázquez revoked Cortés's mandate to lead the expedition before the man left Cuba.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Thus Cortés had to struggle to persist as expedition leader while still in Cuba; twice messengers from Velázquez arrived to depose him, and twice they were dissuaded from executing their mission. After Cortés sailed, Velázquez sent an army led by Pánfilo de Narváez to take him into custody. But after reaching Mexico, Cortés used the same legal tactic as had been used by Governor Velázquez when he invaded Cuba years before: he created a local government and had himself elected as the magistrate. He was thus theoretically responsible only to the King of Spain. Cortés followed this tactic when he and his men established the city of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, also known as Veracruz, seven miles from the harbour of San Juan de Ulúa on the east coast of the area.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1519: 1519 Milestone — In April 1519, Hernán Cortés, a nobleman recently landed in present-day Cuba and the leader of the third Spanish expedition to the coast of what is now known as Mexico, landed at San Juan de Ulúa, a high-quality harbour on Mexico's east coast, with 508 soldiers, 100 sailors, and 14 small cannons.
2. 1521: 1521 Milestone — It occurred in 1521 following extensive negotiations between local factions and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Fall of Tenochtitlan

True or False: “The Aztecs believed that Hernán Cortés was a direct reincarnation of the god Quetzalcoatl upon his arrival in Mexico.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the legend was widely known and referenced by both sides, most scholars agree that the inner circle around Moctezuma did not genuinely believe Cortés was a divine being.

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