Why was the fall of Tenochtitlan important?

Why was the fall of Tenochtitlan important?

The Fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, was a decisive event in the Spanish conquest of the empire. With this conquest, Spain gained substantial access to the Pacific Ocean. Through that, the Spanish Empire could finally achieve its original oceanic goal of reaching the Asian markets.

How did the Aztecs impact America?

The Aztecs were a prominent influence on the world in which we live today. With their court structures and judges, the Aztecs had an incredibly sophisticated justice system. This is demonstrated in their countless laws against theft, murder and vandalizing–they also had laws enforcing temperance among the citizens.

Was Tenochtitlan in the Americas?

At its peak, it was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. It subsequently became a cabecera of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Today, the ruins of Tenochtitlan are in the historic center of the Mexican capital.

How did the Spanish conquest change the Americas?

When the Spanish conquered the Americas, they brought in their own religion. Hundreds of Native Americans converted to Christianity. Churches, monasteries, shrines and parishes were built. This was one of the Spanish’s main goals in colonization, as well as giving Spain more power.

How was Tenochtitlán conquered?

Spanish conquistadores commanded by Hernán Cortés allied with local tribes to conquer the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán. Cortés’s army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city.

What happened to Tenochtitlán after the Spanish took over?

In May 1521, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán, and after a three-month siege the city fell. This victory marked the fall of the Aztec empire. Cuauhtémoc, Cuitláhuac’s successor as emperor, was taken prisoner and later executed, and Cortés became the ruler of a vast Mexican empire.

Why did the Aztecs fall?

Disease. When the Spanish arrived, they brought with them smallpox. Smallpox spread among the indigenous people and crippled their ability to resist the Spanish. The disease devastated the Aztec people, greatly reducing their population and killing an estimated half of Tenochtitlán’s inhabitants.

How did the Spanish change the Aztec society?

The Spanish had a positive effect on Aztec civilization because they helped modernize the society. They introduced the Aztecs to domestic animals, sugar, grains, and European farming practices. Most significantly, the Spanish ended the Aztec’s practice of human sacrifice.

How was Tenochtitlan important?

This was important because it gave city several advantages and allowed it to become on the the largest cities in the world at the time. The location for Tenochtitlan proved excellent as the waterways of the lake allowed the Aztec to easily travel and trade with other societies in the region.

Why was the Tenochtitlan important?

In less than 200 years, it evolved from a small settlement on an island in the western swamps of Lake Texcoco into the powerful political, economic, and religious center of the greatest empire of Precolumbian Mexico. Tenochtitlan was a city of great wealth, obtained through the spoils of tribute from conquered regions.

Why did the Spanish conquered the Americas?

The Spanish Conquest of Mexico In 1519, two powerful empires – Spain and Mexica (Aztec) – were hungry for expansion in central Mexico. Led by emperor Motecuzoma II, the Mexica people had subdued their native enemies and now controlled a sprawling territory with the great city of Tenochtitlán at the center.

Did the Spanish conquest of the Americas negatively affected the world?

1. When the Spaniards arrived in the Americas, they introduced livestock, new crops and other domestic animals from Europe to the Americas. The introduced animals and crops impacted the environment of the Americas negatively. It transformed the environment and killed many living beings in the Americas.

What did Tenochtitlan do for the Aztecs?

ANSWER: Tenochtitlan was the capitol city built by the Aztecs in the middle of Lake Texcoco . They migrated to and settled in the Valley of Mexico. They believed they were the chosen people and led to the area by the god Huitzilopochtli.

What is the conquest of Tenochtitlan?

The Siege of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire , was a decisive event in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. It occurred in 1521 following extensive manipulation of local factions and exploitation of preexisting divisions by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, who was aided by the support of his indigenous allies and his interpreter and companion La Malinche .

What was the Siege of Tenochtitlan?

Siege of Tenochtitlan (1521 AD) Fast Play Rules for Students. Cortes promptly made the Emperor his hostage and used him as a puppet ruler to gather the Aztec ‘s gold. The mood in the capitol quickly soured and, after Montezuma was killed, the Spanish had to fight their way out of the city, suffering heavy losses.

What happened to Tenochtitlan?

e The Fall of Tenochtitlan , the capital of the Aztec Empire, was a decisive event in the Spanish conquest of the empire. It occurred in 1521 following extensive manipulation of local factions and exploitation of pre-existing political divisions by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.