FALL of the Aztecs: How 400 Spaniards Toppled an Empire | Animated History

Summary

The video details the conquest of the Aztec Empire, starting with its formation in 1428 as an alliance of three city-states, with Tenochtitlan emerging dominant. It highlights Aztec practices such as human sacrifice and the empire's brutal rule over tributaries. The narrative follows Hernán Cortés' controversial 1519 expedition, his alliances with native enemies of the Aztecs, and his eventual conquest of Tenochtitlan. Factors like native support, Cortés' tactical prowess, Montezuma's indecision, and a devastating smallpox epidemic contributed to the rapid fall of the once-mighty empire.

Takeaways

• 🌎 The Aztec Empire, though often viewed as a unified people, began in 1428 as a Triple Alliance between three city-states: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan.
• ⚔️ The Aztecs conducted 'flower wars' to capture prisoners for human sacrifice, with thousands sacrificed during periods of drought.
• 📚 Despite their reputation for brutality, the Mexica of Tenochtitlan highly valued scholarship, boasting large libraries on topics like religion, governance, and geography.
• 🛬 In February 1519, Hernán Cortés and several hundred conquistadors landed in Mexico, defying orders from the Cuban governor by embarking on a controversial expedition.
• 🗣️ Cortés gained crucial linguistic support from shipwrecked Spaniard Jerónimo de Aguilar and a slave woman, La Malinche, who helped him communicate with the Aztec people.
• 🤝 Many of the Aztec Empire's tributary states, including the Totonac Confederacy, resented Aztec rule and readily allied with Cortés.
• 💰 Despite Moctezuma’s gifts of gold, Cortés was emboldened to march on Tenochtitlan, ultimately taking the emperor hostage and seizing control of the city.
• ⚡ Smallpox devastated the Aztec population, killing millions, including the new emperor Cuitláhuac, and significantly weakening the empire's resistance.
• 🛡️ Despite the initial setback of the 'Night of Sorrows,' Cortés and his native allies regrouped, and after a prolonged siege, Tenochtitlan finally fell to the Spaniards in August 1521.
• 🏆 Hernán Cortés was rewarded for his conquest by being named captain-general of New Spain, marking the start of Spanish dominance over Mesoamerica and the beginning of the modern Mexican nation.

Q & A

What was the origin of the Aztec Empire?

The Aztec Empire began in 1428 as an alliance between three city-states: Tenochtitlán, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. Tenochtitlán eventually rose to dominate the alliance.

How did the Aztec Empire maintain control over its tributaries?

The Aztecs forced their tributaries to supply raw materials and prisoners for human sacrifice. These sacrifices were a significant part of their religious rituals, especially during times of drought.

What were 'flower wars' in the context of the Aztec Empire?

Flower wars were battles fought by the Aztecs to capture prisoners for sacrifice. These wars provided a steady flow of victims for their religious ceremonies.

Besides human sacrifice, what other aspects characterized life in Tenochtitlán?

Life in Tenochtitlán included a strong emphasis on scholarship. The city had large libraries with manuscripts on topics such as religion, genealogy, government, and geography.

Who led the Spanish expedition to Mesoamerica in 1519, and what was its primary goal?

The Spanish expedition to Mesoamerica in 1519 was led by Hernán Cortés. The goal of the expedition was to find and conquer rumored cities filled with gold.

What role did La Malinche play in Hernán Cortés' conquest of the Aztec Empire?

La Malinche, a woman given to Cortés as a slave, played a crucial role as an interpreter. She spoke both Mayan and Nahuatl (the Aztec language), enabling communication between the Spaniards and the Aztecs.

How did Hernán Cortés secure alliances with indigenous groups during his conquest?

Cortés capitalized on the resentment of other indigenous groups, such as the Totonac Confederacy, who had suffered under Aztec rule. These groups were persuaded to ally with the Spaniards against the Aztecs.

What was the significance of the massacre at Cholula during Cortés' campaign?

The massacre at Cholula served as a brutal message to other city-states about the consequences of not allying with the Spaniards. It may have been motivated by political rivalry and a desire to send a warning to those who resisted Spanish dominance.

How did smallpox impact the Aztec Empire during the Spanish conquest?

Smallpox, brought by the Spaniards, decimated the Aztec population, killing thousands, including their new emperor. The epidemic weakened the Aztec defenses, playing a critical role in their eventual defeat.

What marked the final fall of Tenochtitlán to the Spanish in 1521?

Tenochtitlán finally fell on August 13, 1521, after months of siege. The city's defenders made a last stand, but the Spanish and their native allies overpowered them. The city's last emperor, Cuauhtémoc, was captured trying to flee.