In the 15th century, there were 25 million people living in the Aztec Empire. 100 years later, there were just 1 million left. What happened to the Aztecs? Here’s the awful truth about why they disappeared.

Like pretty much all Europeans of the colonial era, the conquistadors were hell-bent on ruling the world. The first Europeans arrived in Mexico in 1517. Discovering the land was already inhabited by the formidable Aztec Empire, they left and returned two years later with a larger force — one bent on pillage, plunder, conquer, and death.

In November 1519, Hernán Cortés reached the Aztec Empire with his men. Believing the Spanish to be friendly, the Aztec leader Moctezuma invited them into the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán, which at the time was one of the largest cities in the world, as guests.

That was the beginning of the end. First, Cortes took Moctezuma as a hostage. Then, in 1520, Cortés briefly left the city in order to deal with (of all things) another conquistador. While he was gone, his second in command, Pedro de Alvarado, took the opportunity to brutally massacre the Aztec ruling class while they peacefully gathered for a celebratory feast.

The Aztec people rose up in rebellion. During the chaos, Moctezuma died under mysterious circumstances, and the Spanish were expelled from the city. But in May, 1521, Cortés returned to lay siege to the capital with the help of several local tribes who were enemies of the Aztecs — and just 93 days later, the Spanish had won. The Aztec Empire was gone forever.

But it wasn't guns or swords that proved the difference. It was something else altogether.

Watch the video for more about Why The Aztecs Disappeared!

#Aztecs #Mexico #History

The murderous conquistadors | 0:00
Smallpox | 1:29
The great plague | 2:25
So what was it? | 4:10
The shocking truth | 5:11
Then again, maybe not | 6:29
Also, droughts | 8:35
The Aztecs aren't really gone | 9:26

Read Full Article: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть