In August 1521, Cortés claimed Tenochtitlán for Spain and renamed it Mexico City . The Spanish also brought smallpox, which took a heavy toll on the people in Tenochtitlán. Illness played a much greater role in the city’s downfall than violence.
What is Tenochtitlan called today and why?
Tenochtitlán. Tenochtitlán, ancient capital of the Aztec empire. Located at the site of modern Mexico City , it was founded c. ... It formed a confederacy with Texcoco and Tlacopán and was the Aztec capital by the late 15th century.
What is Tenochtitlan now called?
A great deal of Tenochtitlan was destroyed in the fighting, or was looted, burned, or destroyed after the surrender. The leader of the conquistadors, Hernan Cortés, began the construction of what is now known as Mexico City among the ruins.
What Spanish city was built on the former site of Tenochtitlan?
| Mexico-Tenochtitlan | Religion Aztec religion | Government Monarchy | Historical era Pre-Columbian | • Foundation 1325 |
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What did the Spanish do to Tenochtitlan?
After a three-month siege, Spanish forces under Hernán Cortés capture Tenochtitlán , the capital of the Aztec empire. Cortés’ men leveled the city and captured Cuauhtémoc, the Aztec emperor.
Why was Tenochtitlan built on a lake?
| Lake Texcoco | Surface elevation 7,349 feet (2,240 m) |
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What crop was a main staple of the Aztecs?
Many varieties of edible plants grew wild and were later harvested. Maize , of course, was one of these. It’s believed that varieties of maize have been grown domestically in Mexico for over 6,000 years. Maize was the single most important staple of the Aztec diet.
What is unique about Tenochtitlán?
The small natural island was perpetually enlarged as an artificial island as Tenochtitlan grew to become the largest and most powerful city in Mesoamerica . ... After a flood of Lake Texcoco, the city was rebuilt in a style that made it one of the grandest ever in Mesoamerica under Emperor Auitzotl.
What does Tenochtitlán mean in English?
The name of the city derives from tetl meaning rock, nochtli , the prickly-pear cactus and tlan, the locative suffix. ... TenochtitlAn was one of the greatest cities in Mesoamerica with over 200,000 residents.
What did the Aztecs call themselves?
The Aztecs called their city Tenochtitlán after a name the Aztecs used for themselves, Tenochca . The other name they used for themselves was Mexica. They did not call themselves Aztecs.
Was Tenochtitlan beautiful?
Tenochtitlan was a city of great wealth, obtained through the spoils of tribute from conquered regions. Of astounding beauty and impressive scale, its towering pyramids were painted in bright red and blue , and its palaces in dazzling white.
What disease killed most of the Aztecs?
Smallpox took its toll on the Aztecs in several ways. First, it killed many of its victims outright, particularly infants and young children.
What did the Aztecs demand of the people they conquered Name one advantage and one disadvantage of this policy?
Name one disadvantage of this Aztec policy. Aztecs demanded that you pay tribute, honor huitzopochti, promise obedience to their ruler, but otherwise they lived the same . This made it easy for the Aztecs to rule, but the conquered people never thought of themselves as true Aztecs and wanted freedom.
How were the Spanish Conquistadors able to defeat the powerful Aztec?
Hernan Cortes was able to conquer the Aztec Empire by scaring the natives with the 16 horses , gaining alliances with the other enemies of the Aztec, having superior and better weapons than the natives (like guns), having armor, and having steel.
What did the Spanish do after they escaped Tenochtitlan?
He was succeeded as emperor by his brother, Cuitlahuac. During the Spaniards’ retreat, they defeated a large Aztec army at Otumba and then rejoined their Tlaxcaltec allies. In May 1521, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan, and after a three-month siege the city fell. This victory marked the fall of the Aztec empire.
Why did Spain want to conquer the Aztecs?
Why might Cortes have wanted to conquer the Aztec? Cortes might have wanted to conquer the Aztec because he wanted gold, silver, to convert them to Christianity, glory, and greed . ... The advantages that the Spanish had over the Aztec were 16 horses, guns, armor, formed alliances, and diseases, steel.
