The Conquest of the Aztec Empire

The year 1520 saw Moctezuma II rule the Aztec Empire at its height of power and glory. The Aztec empire under the rule of Moctezuma II controlled a vast territory comprising what is today central Mexico, home to millions of inhabitants.

But soon their power and wealth would come under threat from an unexpected source: foreign invaders that would transform Mexican history forever.

Hernan Cortes a Spanish conquistador then, led these invaders from Spain into Mexico in 1519 in pursuit of riches and glory. Arriving with an army devoted to finding gold for Cortes' treasure troves in Mexico's fields and waters and also to spread Christianity in 1519. Upon their arrival, they immediately set to making contacts with the locals or indigenous peoples in the empire.

Cortes and his men initially intrigued the people of Aztec as curiosities and strangers from across the sea; Moctezuma himself took great delight in these visitors from faraway lands,to the point that he even sent them gifts of gold and other treasures as tokens of goodwill from him and other nobles as an act of goodwill and respect.

But soon enough, Cortes and his men after getting acquainted with the Aztec empire revealed their true intentions; they intended to conquer Mexico for themselves, take its wealth and power for themselves and spread Christianity throughout its territories.

Cortes knew his troops alone wasn’t enough to fulfill the conquest so he needed support of local allies to accomplish his objectives. He formed relationships with tribes who opposed Aztec rule, took advantage of those that saw an opportunity in Cortes' arrival as an opportunity to overthrow the king and his rule and win power themselves. He soon made alliances with these oppressed tribes who saw this opportunity through Cortes.

As Cortes progressed through Mexico, he encountered fierce resistance from the Aztecs; but with help from his allies and superior military technology he managed to defeat their armies and lay siege to Tenochtitlan which was the capital city of the Aztec empire.

Tenochtitlan's siege was an all-out battle that pitted Aztec warriors against Spanish soldiers armed with guns, cannons, and horses. Armed with firepower that no Aztec army could match. Although they put up a resistance, their efforts proved futile against such numbers of guns,horses and military might. They still found it tough trying to defend their city from invasion.

After months of fierce fighting, the Spanish forces finally succeeded in breaching Tenochtitlan and seizing it; Moctezuma died during this siege and thus effectively ending his empire's existence.

After their conquest by Spain, Aztec cities were looted and burned; their people either forced into slavery or killed; culture and traditions of Aztec origin were suppressed in favor of Spanish languages and customs.

But the conquest had lasting ramifications for Spain as well, who used their conquest of vast territories which includes much of modern day Mexico to establish their empire there and set into place centuries of colonial rule that would endure until modern day America came under their rule.

The conquest of Mexico was an iconic moment in world history, marking the commencement of European colonization across North and South America. While this event proved triumphant for Spain, its aftermath would prove devastating for Mexican peoples as they spent centuries fighting to reclaim both independence and cultural identity.

Legacy of Conquest in Mexico and America Today; Today the legacy of conquest can still be felt across Mexico and Americas; It serves as an important reminder of complex interactions among different cultures and peoples and the lasting impacts that these interactions may have had on history and its course.