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How Did Cortes Contribute The Most To The Fall Of The Aztec Empire

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The factors that contributed the most to the fall of the Aztec Empire were; Aztecs mistaking Cortes for Quetzacoatl, Aztec conflict with neighbouring groups, and no cure for Smallpox. To begin, Mocetezuma confusing Cores for Quetzacoatl caused the downfall of the Aztecs. Because Moctezuma thought Cortes was Quetzacoatl he gave VOrtes a whole tour of the city and let him live in his dad’s old house. While on the tour Cortes saw the gold that the Aztecs had. This caused Cortes to try to steal the gold and escape. Allowing Cortes to satay in Moctezuma’s dad’s house allowed Cortes to have immediate access to the city. Allowing Cortes to live in Moctezuma’s dad’s house allowed Cortes to have easier access o Moctezuma which allowed Cortes to put Moctezuma under house arrest. Moctezuma Mistaking Cortes for Quetzacoatl and letting him enter was a major error on Moctezuma’s part. The primary reason why Cortes and the Spaniards besieged Tenochtitlan, was because of the riches they saw within the city. By mistaking Cortes for Quetzacoatl, Cortes was able to put Moctezama under house arrest and hold him for ransom. …show more content…

Because the Aztecs made enemies with the neighbouring groups Cortes was able to gain many more soldiers. Cortes was able to go from 500 soldiers to around 200000. Because the Aztecs have been taking tributes from those neighbouring groups, the indigenous people want to fight the Aztecs and help Cortes. The Aztecs making enemies with the neighbouring groups was a vital reason why Cortes was able to defeat the Aztecs. This helped Cortes able to grow his army from 500 to 200000. Making enemies with the neighbouring groups made the indigenous people want to fight with Cortes and besiege the

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