Fall Of The Aztec Empire Essay

The Aztecs, as they are known, were a group of people who originated as a nomadic tribe in northern Mexico. Although the origins of the Aztecs are uncertain, they "are believed to begun as a northern tribe of hunter-gatherers whose name came from that of their homeland, Aztlan (“White Land”)." The Aztecs were also known as the Tenochca derived from their capital city, Tenochtitlan, and the Mexica. The Aztec empire was built in 1428 under leader Itzcoatl, forming a three-way alliance with the Acolhua people of Texcoco, and the Mexica in Tenochtitlan, and the Tepaneca people of Tlacopan. These three groups were responsible for the defeat and domination of a big part of Mexico. Over time, Tenochtitlan became the dominant group while the Mexica became the rulers of the empire. However, it all came crashing down at the hands of Hernan Cortez and the conquistadors in 1521. There were many factors involved that led to the great fall of the Aztec empire. 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. …show more content…
With the empire expanding "the fall of the Azcapotzalco and the arrival of Hernan Cortes, the Mexica increasingly assumed a dominant role (Smith51)." After Itzcoatl 's death, Montezuma I took control over the empire in 1440. Montezuma I was remembered as the father of the Aztec empire after proving to be one of the most successful Mexica leaders in expanding the empire. However, between 1450 and 1454 a severe drought hit the Valley of Mexico. This lead to a shortage of crops and great famine, causing the royal granaries to feed the public. In spite of this, the food only lasted a few years and by 1454 thousands had