How Did Montezuma Build The Aztec Empire

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In the early 1500s CE, the Aztec Empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. All of central Mexico was ruled from the capital city of Tenochtitlán.

Moctezuma Xocoyotl or Montezuma II, the king we know today as Montezuma, came to power in 1502. He ruled over a vast empire. Over 15 million people in 38 provinces paid tribute to the new ruler in Tenochtitlán. Montezuma would be the last emperor of the Aztec Empire. He followed his uncle to the throne after being schooled in religion, science, and art. Like the leaders before him, Montezuma worked on expanding the Aztec Empire. He also led improvements in Tenochtitlán, enlarging the palace and creating a zoo.

In 1519, Spanish soldiers led by the explorer and conqueror