Spanish conquering the Aztecs timeline

By sushi_90
  • Cortes sails for Mexico from Cuba
    Feb 17, 1519

    Cortes sails for Mexico from Cuba

    This was important because it showed Cortes' determination to explore Mexico
  • Tlaxcalans attack the Spanish
    May 11, 1519

    Tlaxcalans attack the Spanish

    The Tlaxcalans didn't want to be conquered by the Spanish
  • Tlaxcalans form alliance with the Spanish
    May 20, 1519

    Tlaxcalans form alliance with the Spanish

    The Tlaxcalans decided to be allies to defeat the Aztecs.
  • Moctezuma and Cortes meet
    Jul 3, 1519

    Moctezuma and Cortes meet

    Cortes wanted to conquer the Aztecs for their gold.
  • Cortes takes Moctezuma hostage
    Aug 9, 1519

    Cortes takes Moctezuma hostage

    He took Moctezuma as hostage in the palace where he was staying.
  • The Spanish massacre thousands of Aztecs while preparing for their religious festival
    Oct 23, 1519

    The Spanish massacre thousands of Aztecs while preparing for their religious festival

    While the Aztecs were preparing for the festival, Cortes and his men surrounded the courtyard, they murdered nobles and priests.
  • The Spanish retreat after the Aztecs gather arms
    Feb 9, 1520

    The Spanish retreat after the Aztecs gather arms

    The Aztecs were outranged and fought ferociously.
  • Moctezuma dies
    Mar 16, 1520

    Moctezuma dies

    Moctezuma got stoned by his people
  • The Spanish attempt to escape from Tenochtitlan but are stopped by the Aztecs - later referred to as the Noche Triste
    Apr 24, 1520

    The Spanish attempt to escape from Tenochtitlan but are stopped by the Aztecs - later referred to as the Noche Triste

    The Spanish tried to escape in the middle of the night. Later on the Aztecs discovered them and attacked from all sides.
  • The Aztecs begin to die from smallpox
    May 2, 1520

    The Aztecs begin to die from smallpox

    The Aztecs were exposed to this European disease known as smallpox
  • The Spanish form a second attack on the now weakened Aztecs
    Jun 25, 1520

    The Spanish form a second attack on the now weakened Aztecs

    Members of the Triple Alliance turned against the Aztecs when they saw the strength of the Spanish. Half the Aztec population died from smallpox so the Spanish attacked them.
  • The last group of Aztecs surrender
    Aug 28, 1520

    The last group of Aztecs surrender

    Cortes prevented food/ water from entering the city as a result the Aztecs surrendered
  • Cortes becomes governor and captain-general of New Spain
    Apr 4, 1521

    Cortes becomes governor and captain-general of New Spain

    He built Mexico City on the ruins of the Aztecs