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Aztec Market Diorama/Seeds of Change
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The Aztec: The Might of Mesoamerica
When the Spanish first set eyes on it, the Aztec empire was one of the largest and most advanced states in the Americas. Its capital—the twin cities of Tenochtitlan-Tlateloco—had a population of 250,000 and compared with the finest cities of Europe. The emperor Moctezuma ruled millions of subjects and a network of conquered territories. Aztec culture stood at the peak of more than 3000 years of Mesoamerican civilization. |
Encounter and Conquest
In 1519, with an army of 500 Spaniards and 16 horses, Hernan Cortes set out from the coast of Mexico to conquer the Aztecs. Within two years, Moctezuma’s glorious empire lay in ruins. Cortez defeated the Aztec rulers with the help of native tribes who had been subjugated by the powerful Aztecs. The horse, Spanish armor and weapons and especially disease were major factors in this crushing defeat. In 1521 the Aztecs became the subjects of foreign overlords who imposed their own religion and culture. The temples were dismantled and used to build a new city, Mexico City, on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. A new city and a new society were built, and few traces of the Aztec empire remained in the colony called New Spain. |
Battle of Templo Mayor/Seeds of Change
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