Lacking food and ravaged by smallpox disease earlier introduced by one of the Spaniards, the Aztecs, now led by Cuauhtemoc, finally collapsed after 93 days of resistance on the fateful day of 13th of August, 1521 CE. Tenochtitlan was sacked and its monuments destroyed.
Explanation:
There's little doubt that the ritual Aztec sacrifice contributed to the fall of the Aztec Empire, and in more ways than one. First, killing thousands of people, whether you or your neighbours, simply can't be good for a society. The loss of people in a loss that can't be calculated. Who knows how it would have been different if these people and their children had swelled the ranks that fought the Spanish, not to mention the other contributions they would have made.
And although the Aztecs certainly weren't the first people ever to sacrifice humans, the fact that they did and the incredible number they sacrificed led to the hatred of some of the surrounding peoples. The powerful city-state of Tlaxcala was one of these. Many of their own had been sacrificed, and in the end they joined the Spaniards to fight the Aztecs. It may be that the Spanish simply were an excuse to start what was already an inevitable civil war.
Lastly, it's believed that the horror of human sacrifice highly motivated the Spaniards to conquer what they considered an evil culture - in other words, they used it to justify their war with the empire.Naturally, religion played a part because of the sacrifices. It has been commonly believed that, at first, the Aztecs thought that the Spanish were gods.
This belief is more and more being questioned - it may be a fabrication. ReliNaturally, religion played a part because of the sacrifices. It has been commonly believed that, at first, the Aztecs thought that the Spanish were gods.
This belief is more and more being questioned - it may be a fabrication. Religious, yes, but the nobles were also well educated. Even if they did have such a passing thought, it's unlikely it lasted long. In addition, there's no reason to believe that Cortes and his men wouldn't have been welcomed anyway, with similar results. Modern scholars are questioning whether this belief in the return of the god Quetzalcoatl was real or a later rewrite of history.
Even more interesting is the theory that, at one point, the Aztecs did not completely destroy the Spanish army because they wanted more people to sacrifice to their gods. This was a tactical error that at least hastened the fall of the Aztec empire., yes, but the nobles were also well educated. Even if they did have such a passing thought, it's unlikely it lasted long. In addition, there's no reason to believe that Cortes and his men wouldn't have been welcomed anyway, with similar results. Modern scholars are questioning whether this belief in the return of the god Quetzalcoatl was real or a later rewrite of history.
Even more interesting is the theory that, at one point, the Aztecs did not completely destroy the Spanish army because they wanted more people to sacrifice to their gods. This was a tactical error that at least hastened the fall of the Aztec empire. Disease played a huge part in the fall of the Aztec empire. Here's what happened.
After Cortes landed in Mexico, another Spanish army came from Cuba to make sure he followed orders. Cortes would have none of that, and went to fight them. In this new group was an African being held as a slave, who had smallpox, a very contagious disease.
empire.
Hope this helps! Brainlist?
