The Aztecs, an advanced civilization in Mesoamerica, encountered a clash of worlds when Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century. Hernán Cortés, a Spanish explorer, landed on the coast of Mexico in 1519 and forged alliances with indigenous groups who harbored grievances against Aztec rule. Cortés and his allies marched inland, eventually reaching the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, in 1519. Despite the Aztecs' superior numbers, Cortés and his forces, aided by advanced weaponry and tactics, were able to capture the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II, and take control of the city. The fall of Tenochtitlan marked the beginning of Spanish rule in Mexico and the decline of the Aztec Empire. This encounter had a profound impact on both civilizations, leading to political, social, and cultural changes that shaped the history of the Americas.
