2. The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire (1519-1521)
Hernán Cortés’ campaign against the Aztecs led to the collapse of an advanced civilization and centuries of colonial rule. Cortés, with about 500 soldiers, entered Tenochtitlán in 1519, where Emperor Montezuma II initially welcomed him, suspecting him to be a returning god. However, tensions escalated, leading to Montezuma’s death in Spanish custody. After a retreat and reinforcements, Cortés returned in 1521, besieging Tenochtitlán for four months before capturing it, marking the end of the Aztec Empire (britannica.com).
