The Fall of the Aztecs

By Avery PruittGammon-5th PeriodNovember 11, 2014

Hernan Cortes• Spanish conquistador that wiped out Aztecs

• Born in 1485• Sailed to Mexico in 1519

• Sent by the Spanish to plunder and gather as much gold and riches as possible

Montezuma II• Aztec leader during Cortés's raid

• Born in 1466• Ruthless leader hated by other tribes

• 1519: Cortes raided, kidnapped, and killed his people

Cortes Montezuma

Here come the Spaniards….

• In 1519, Cortes entered Mexico with 600 soldiers

• Once Spanish forces arrived at the gates of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs let them in

because they thought Cortes was a god• Once inside, Cortes and his battalion wiped

out the Aztecs and killed Montezuma

What happened to the Aztecs?

Who: What: Where: Outcome:

Hernan Cortes

Defeated the Aztecs

Tenochtitlan Successfully killed Montezuma

Montezuma II Leader of the Aztecs

Tenochtitlan Died in battle protecting land

Map of the Aztec Empire

Quipu• The Aztec had no

written language so they recorded history with these colored strings

• See picture on next slide

Quipu

The Spaniards Advanced Weaponry

• The main reasons Spain took over the Aztecs is advanced weapons

• The weapons include dogs, guns, and horses

• Their armor was also a great asset

Pictures of Weapons and Armor

Sacrifices• The reason most tribes hated

the Aztecs is once defeated they were sacrificed for their “gods”

Summary• The Spanish invaded the Aztecs to

plunder gold, land, and glory• The Spanish won because of the

advanced weaponry • Took place in modern day Mexico

References:

http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs

http://www.biography.com/people/hern%C3%A1n-cort%C3%A9s-9258320

http://www.biography.com/people/montezuma-ii-9412612