1. FALL OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE

2.  Led by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish landed on the Yucatan peninsula in 1519. SPANISH ENCOUNTER THE AZTECS

3.  Cortés was accompanied by less than 600 soldiers. SPANISH ENCOUNTER THE AZTECS

4.  Cortés allies himself with the Aztecs’ long-time enemy, the Tlaxcalans. SPANISH ENCOUNTER THE AZTECS

5.  On November 8, 1519, the Spanish and the Tlaxcalans (about 3,000) arrive at the gates of Tenochtitlan. SPANISH ENCOUNTER THE AZTECS

7. o Moctezuma (the Aztec emperor) welcomes the visitors with gifts of gold. Cortes Becomes Interested in the Aztec Empire

8. o Moctezuma is held hostage by the Spaniards who want Aztec gold and land. Cortes Becomes Interested in the Aztec Empire

9.  In May 1520, the massacre in the Main Temple consisted of the Spanish killing the Aztec upper class. SPANISH CONQUEST

10.  Moctezuma is killed shortly after. He is replaced by Cuauhtémoc. SPANISH CONQUEST

11.  The Spaniards fled the town on July 1, but returned with their Allies in 1521. SPANISH CONQUEST

12.  The battle ended on August 13 with the destruction of the Tenochtitlan.  Alliances are perhaps the major reason for Spanish victory. SPANISH CONQUEST

13.  The city is rebuilt by the Spanish and called Mexico City, the capital of New Spain. SPANISH CONQUEST

14.  Cuauhtémoc is eventually tortured and killed by the Spaniards. SPANISH CONQUEST