The Fall of the Aztec Empire

In 1519, Spanish ships arrived in Mexico, where the Aztec Empire was at its peak. Despite their power, the Aztecs fell rapidly due to multiple factors: numerous enemies, Spanish superior weaponry, and ineffective leadership. Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, was captured and killed, leading to further chaos. Smallpox brought by the Spanish decimated the Aztec population. In 1521, after a brutal siege, the Aztec capital fell, and the empire was destroyed. Under Spanish rule, Mexico City rose from the ruins, and Christianity replaced Aztec traditions.

What was the capital of the Aztec Empire?

• Chichen Itza

• Cuzco

• Tenochtitlan

• Machu Picchu

Which Spanish conquistador led the siege against the Aztecs?

• Francisco Pizarro

• Hernán Cortés

• Pedro de Alvarado

• Diego Velázquez

Why did neighboring tribes dislike the Aztecs?

• The Aztecs shared their wealth

• The Aztecs were allies

• The Aztecs demanded tributes and sacrifices

• The Aztecs were peaceful

What advantage did the Spanish have over the Aztecs?

• Larger army

• Superior weapons and tactics

• More allies

• Better knowledge of the terrain

Who was the Aztec emperor during the Spanish conquest?

• Moctezuma II

• Cuauhtémoc

• Itzcoatl

• Ahuitzotl

What disease significantly weakened the Aztec population?

• Malaria

• Smallpox

• Bubonic plague

• Influenza

On what date did Tenochtitlan fall to the Spanish?

• August 13, 1521

• July 4, 1520

• September 16, 1521

• October 12, 1520

What title did Cortés assume after the fall of the Aztec Empire?

• Emperor of Mexico

• President of Mexico

• Governor of New Spain

• King of the Aztecs

What city rose from the ruins of Tenochtitlan?

• Mexico City

• Guadalajara

• Puebla

• Monterrey

What religion spread throughout the region after the Spanish conquest?

• Hinduism

• Christianity

• Islam

• Buddhism