Cite This Work Ancient History Encyclopedia. Instead, the quick collapse of the Aztec empire probably depended on other factors such as the pandemic diseases that they brought to Mexico, which can be defined as one of main causes of the quick fall of the Aztec Empire. There were many factors involved that led to the great fall of the Aztec empire. Regular tributes were extracted, and captives were taken back to Tenochtitlan for ritual sacrifice. The Aztecs believed him to be the representative for some white skinned god, and hence feared and respected him. The four major factors that were obvious to the downfall of the Aztecs was the bloody sacrifices, religion, diseases, and the Spanish tactics used against the Aztecs. One of Cortés' men spoke the former so that now the way was open to parley with any representatives the invaders came across. The Spanish, due to their inferior weapons and bold war tactics, eventually captured both the Incas and Aztecs Empires. Cortés & the Fall of the Aztec Empire. In this essay I am going to give a brief overview about the Aztecs and then talk about the factors that led to the fall of this empire. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Cartwright, Mark. From 1427 to 1440, the Mexica became allies with two surrounding city-states: Texcoco and Tlacopan, forming the Triple Alliance. Several factors contributed to the downfall of the Aztec Empire. Aztecs: Incas Cortés was not satificied with the amount of gold, so he went to Moctezuma. The Spaniards who were in the Americas were supposed to be spreading the word of Christianity, but often found the lure of gold and money, which affected the Aztecs and Inca Empires. The Aztec Empire was a analagous to a feudal model that the Spanish Conquistadors could recognize, but with refinements that severely weakened it. Factors Causing 2 Many different factors ultimately led to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. In this essay I am going to give a brief overview about the Aztecs and then talk about the factors that led to the fall of this empire. These two empires came face to face in 1428 CE with the Tepanec War. The Spanish tried to have Motecuhzoma calm the populace, but he was struck in the head by a thrown rock and killed. The Fall of the Aztec empire occured when the a small group of conquistadors led by Cortés reached Mexico in 1519. Submitted by Mark Cartwright, published on 04 July 2016 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. This meant that it was not a homogenous and mature empire where its members had a mutual interest in its preservation. By around 1400 CE several small empires had formed in the Valley of Mexico and dominant amongst these were Texcoco, capital of the Acholhua region, and Azcapotzalco, capital of the Tepenec. https://www.ancient.eu/article/916/. Following victory, a Triple Alliance was formed between Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, and a rebel Tepanec city, Tlacopan. Cavalry was another devastating weapon in the hands of the Europeans. Without any kind of immunity or treatment to these newly … There were many factors involved that led to the great fall of the Aztec empire. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. In this way, the Aztec empire came to cover most of northern Mexico, an area of some 135,000 square kilometres with a population of around 11 million. The two sides were not just centuries but millennia apart in terms of arms technology and warfare tactics. Diamond, Jared M. (2005) "The Maya Collapses.” Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. This investigation examines to what extent where those internal and pre-existing factors to blame for the downfall of the Aztec Empire. The Aztec Empire in 1519 In 1519, when the Spanish first made official contact with the Empire, the Aztecs ruled most of present-day Mexico either directly or indirectly. Unlike the Inca, the Aztecs had a rich history and structure. Malintzin would remain at Cortés' side throughout the campaign, and together they would have a son, Don Martin. Cortes’s army besieged Tenochtitlan for 93 days. The Aztecs began their reign in 1427 and their leader was Itzcoatl, who reigned until 1440. (Nichols, 451), Aztec Empireby wikipedia user: El Comandante (CC BY-SA). Led by Hernán Cortés, the Spaniard's formidable firearms and thirst for treasure would bring devastating destruction and disease. Unfortunately, with the continued extraction of tribute both in goods and forced labour, this new order was no less brutal and unforgiving than the old one. Yet, they worshiped these gods in very violent ways through human sacrifice. After the Spanish conquest, the empire of the Aztec was destroyed, but their civilization remained an important influence on the development of Mexican culture. The Aztecs were ruled by an emperor who was elected from a council made up of priests, warriors, and nobles. Effective though these were against even more poorly equipped native Americans, they were next to useless against the Spanish guns, crossbows, steel swords, long pikes, cannons, and armour. ... middle of paper ... Shorn of their commanders, the Aztec units often disintegrated into panic. The Aztec Empire. Works Cited What were the decisive factors that led to the fall of the Aztec empire? Choose all answers that are correct. The Spanish had better developed technology, guns, ect. Cortés was eager to meet the Aztec king Motecuhzoma. This ended the Aztec civilization forever. Disease was a very important factor that led to the fall of the Aztec Empire. Who knows how it would have been different if these people and their children had swelled the ranks that fought the Spanish, not to mention the other contributions th… It was a huge trading centre with goods flowing in and out, such as gold, turquoise, foodstuffs, and slaves. Books The first was help from disgruntled subject peoples or traditional enemies of the Aztecs. The Olmec: Secrets of the Ancient Olmecs (Full Documentary) on You tube. (The Mexican revolution EDSITEMENT) In the case of Martin Luther and the Catholic church, religion was the first domino to fall that led to the death of 100,000 civilians in Germany. The Exact origin of the Aztec people is uncertain, but they are believed to have begun as a northern tribe of hunter-gatherers whose name came from that of their homeland. The story of the Spanish conquest over the native people of the Americas began in 1492; the Spaniards came from Europe to the Americas in hope of gaining wealth and increasing their social status. Some civilizations killed younger children and some killed adults, ripping out their hearts and cutting off their heads. emperor. First, killing thousands of people, whether you or your neighbours, simply can't be good for a society. A.The Aztecs had no strong leaders and limited military skills. ... What factors led in the rise of the Aztec Empire? Ignoring instructions to return to Cuba, Cortés instead sent a shipload of the treasures they had so far acquired and letters requesting royal support to Charles V of Spain. About one hundred years before, three powerful city-states in central Mexico — Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan and Tacuba — united to form the Triple Alliance , which soon rose to pre-eminence. They conquered the Incas in Mexico and the Aztecs in Peru, and shortly after created a civilization of their own in these respective places. On the march to Tenochtitlan, Cortés had already enlisted the enthusiastic help of the Tlaxcalans, both in men and supplies. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. By around 1400 CE several small empires had formed in the Valley of Mexico and dominant amongst these were Texcoco, capital of the Acholhua region, and Azcapotzalco, capital of the Tepenec. Disease was a very important factor that led to the fall of the Aztec Empire. In 1535 CE, Don Antonio de Mendoza was made the first viceroy of the kingdom of New Spain. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 04 Jul 2016. After assembling a record-setting 154 radiocarbon dates, the researchers have been able to develop a highly precise chronology that illuminates the patterns that led … Some of the remaining Spanish, commanded by Pedro de Alvarado, were then killed at Tenochtitlan after they tried to interrupt a ceremony of human sacrifice. Battles were concentrated in or around major cities, and when these fell, the victors claimed the whole surrounding territory. This seems a more reasonable explanation than the traditional view, now rejected by modern historians as a post-conquest rationalising fiction, that Motecuhzoma reverently believed that Cortés was the returning god Quetzalcoatl of Aztec mythology. Last modified July 04, 2016. It’s possible that Spanish invaders brought salmonella to the Aztecs in modern-day Mexico through domesticated animals. New York: Viking, 157-77. ... Hernan Cortes wanted to obtain the land of the Aztec Empire and was fueled by the existence of the Aztec's immense silver and gold treasures (Sivers, 603). ... What event occurred just before the Spanish arrived and helped lead the fall of the Inca? In the Aztec empire, some manufactured goods were produced for the ruler or sold in the local markets. The Aztec empire collapsed, its temples were defaced or destroyed, and its fine art melted down into coins. After running a plantation and participating in the conquest of Cuba, he was now in his mid-30s and ready for his stab at fame and glory. In a cultural and political context there was a competition between kings and nobles as to who led the civilization through war and other events that required military forces. Also, Aztecs were killing people from neighboring cities such as Tlaxcala which turned them into rivals as they decided to join the Spaniards in fighting against the Aztecs. License. The Spanish Governor of Cuba, Diego Velasquez, had already sent several expeditions to explore the mainland coast of America starting in 1517 CE, and these had reported strange ancient stone monuments and brightly dressed natives from whom were bartered fine gold objects. Aztec warriors wore padded cotton armour, carried a wooden or reed shield covered in hide, and wielded weapons such as a super sharp obsidian sword-club (macuahuitl), a spear or dart thrower (atlatl), and bow and arrows. "Cortés & the Fall of the Aztec Empire." Sacrifices had a big impact on the aztec population. The Mexican revolution made an impact on Mexico by ending the reign of President Diaz, creating a constitutional republic and it also caused much violence throughout the years. The Conquistadores immediately found willing local allies only too eager to help topple the brutal Aztec regime and free themselves from the burden of tribute and the necessity of feeding the insatiable Aztec appetite for sacrificial victims, and so within three years fell the largest ever empire in North and Central America. Fighting for their independence from Aztec rule they did not realise that they would merely be replacing one rapacious overlord for another even more destructive one. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Moctezuma II, the Aztec leader, believed that Cortés wasa god. Taking the position of tlatoani, meaning 'speaker' in 1502 CE, he ruled as an absolute monarch and was considered a god by his people and a manifestation and perpetuator of the sun. Sacrifice. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE. At the time the Spaniards arrived to the New World they found different Indian civilizations with many similitude and differences. However, Cortes returned later with the support of local Indian tribes that hated the Aztecs for centuries of cruel treatment to defeat the mighty Aztecs and take the empire. The economic basis of the Aztec hegemony was the Valley of Mexico ’s agriculture, characterized for several centuries by irrigation systems and chinampas, the misnamed “floating gardens” that were actually a raised-field system of agriculture. Battle of Tenochtitlan (May 22–August 13, 1521), military engagement between the Aztecs and a coalition of Spanish and indigenous combatants commanded by Hernan Cortes. Your answer should make reference to the social and political contexts of the region as well as the military campaign. And finally, what toll did the creation of this massive silver industry play on Native Americans? Thus the following questions will be addressed: In what ways did this illusive mineral lead to the downfall of one the greatest empires of all time, and more broadly how did it affect other foreign economies most notably China. The Aztec empire lasted 94 years, one of the longest ever in world history, but they could have lasted much longer but they were invaded by Spanish conquistadors. What were the decisive factors that led to the fall of the Aztec empire? With your help we create free content that helps millions of people learn history all around the world. In 1519, Hernan Cortes and his small army of conquistadors, driven by gold-lust, ambition and religious fervor, began the audacious conquest of the Aztec Empire.By August 1521, three Mexica emperors were dead or captured, the city of Tenochtitlan was in ruins and the Spanish had conquered the mighty empire. The main factors had to do with Spanish technology and the Spaniards’ ability to … Related Content B. One of the biggest reasons of the fall of the Aztec Empire, was due to the amount of people being killed as “sacrifices”. Bibliography The Aztec Empire in 1519 In 1519, when the Spanish first made official contact with the Empire, the Aztecs ruled most of present-day Mexico either directly or indirectly. Over the next three years, the conquistadores brought the whole of Mesoamerica under Spanish rule and established the colony of New Spain. Disease. In this, they were helped enormously by two factors. What happened after soldiers were capture by the Mayans? The Spanish founded new governments in order to rule over these new societies. A few most vital factors include: The Aztec Religion, The responsibility of people who were considered "gods" (social aspect), and of course, the events that caused the Empire to decline and forever disappear. Systematically and ruthlessly, the culture of the ancient Mesoamericans, a heritage going back millennia, was repressed and where possible eradicated in an effort to install the new order of the Old World. The gods of the Aztecs (1345-1521 CE) were many and varied and... Aztec society was hierarchical and divided into clearly defined... Conquest: Cortes, Montezuma, and the Fall of Old Mexico, Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Cortés grabbed what booty he could and fled the city in a running night battle on the 30th of June, 1520 CE, in what became known as the Noche Triste (Sad Night). The Aztec: Documentary: The Aztec Empire In Search of History The crisis deepened when Cortés was forced to return to Veracruz and face a new force sent from Cuba to arrest him for disobeying his orders to return to Cuba. They attacked Hernanado and his men, and succeeded in driving them off. Motecuhzoma, after consulting his council of elders, decided on a strategy of diplomacy. Elite Aztec warriors and officers also wore spectacular feathered and animal skin costumes and headdresses to signify their rank. The capital was located on the western shore of Lake Texcoco and boasted at least 200,000 inhabitants making it the largest city in the Pre-Columbian Americas. The Aztec warrior commanders, unhappy at Motecuhzoma's passivity, overthrew him and set Cuitlahuac as the new tlatoani. The Spanish brought many deadly diseases when they arrived in Mexico. The governor organised another expedition and chose as its leader Hernán Cortés. Mark is a history writer based in Italy. These two empires came face to face in 1428 CE with the Tepanec War. However, against that it is certainly true that the Spanish had already shown their military prowess and the devastating effectiveness of their superior weaponry - cannons, firearms and crossbows - in quickly defeating a force of Otomi-Tlaxcalan, and they had also taken quick and ruthless reprisals against a treacherous plot by the Cholollan. Sacrifices. Of the two groups that made up the Aztecs, the Mexica were the most powerful and aggressive and are typically who are referenced when describing the Aztecs. The four major factors that were obvious to the downfall of the Aztecs was the bloody sacrifices, religion, diseases, and the Spanish tactics used against the Aztecs. "Cortés & the Fall of the Aztec Empire." Perhaps not only out for gold, Cortés was a deeply religious man, and the spirit of evangelism, for him if not his followers, was an extra motivation to open up this New World. Cortés next burned all of his ships to remind his men that in the following months of hardship it was to be conquest or death. Francisco Pizarro Spanish conquistador known for his expeditions that led to to the Spanish conquest of Peru. The main factors which led to the collapse of the Aztec Empire were not internal or psychological. Decline of the empire. The Aztecs were used to loose formations in battle; their primary objective had always been to capture a valiant opponent alive so that they might be later ritually sacrificed, and warfare was highly ritualised with precise moments for starting and ending. the people killed could have been part of the military force and enrich the war force rather than reducing the number of the population. Furthermore, people were also killed due to religious beliefs. The Spanish brought many deadly diseases when they arrived in Mexico. By 1515 CE rumours in the Aztec heartlands and several bad omens of a rapidly approaching crisis were fuelled by sightings off the coast of fantastic floating temples. The main factors which led to the collapse of the Aztec Empire were not internal or psychological. Although he was killed in 1920, there was still disorder until the 1930’s. the aztec ---, like the maya king, was the most important person in society. Aftermath and the fall of the Aztec empire. Cortés & the Siege of Tenochtitlanby Unknown Artist (Public Domain). Motecuhzoma was forced to declare himself a subject of Charles V, handover more treasure and even allow the placing of a crucifix on top of the Great Pyramid or Templo Mayor in the city's sacred precinct. Whatever the reasons, the initial air of cordiality between the two sides soon turned sour for within two weeks the Aztec ruler was audaciously taken hostage and placed under house arrest by the small Spanish force. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. Your answer should make reference to the social and political contexts of the region as well as the military campaign. This incident was just what Cortés needed, and after battling the Cuban relief force at Veracruz and persuading its leader Panfilo Narvaez to join his cause, he returned to the city to relieve the besieged remaining Spanish. I can explain the key factors that contributed to the fall of the Aztec Empire What were the decisive factors that led to the fall of the Aztec empire? Landing on the Tabasco coast at Potonchan, Cortés immediately met hostilities, but the Europeans easily subdued the natives with their superior weapons and tactics. Kenneth Swope argues that one key factor was deteriorating relations between Ming royalty and the Ming empire’s military leadership.