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April, 1519

Hernán Cortés was elected captain for the third expedition to Mexico by Diego Velázquez, the governor of Cuba and Spanish colonial administrator, to go on an expedition to the Americas. Upon Cortés's arrival in Veracruz, he formed a strategic alliance with another indigenous group, the Tlaxcalans, as a means to conqure the Aztec empire. Cortés’s successful voyage not only resulted in the downfall of the Aztec Empire but also significant changes in the Americas. The Spanish colonisation that followed forever impacted Aztec culture, specifically Aztec religion, language, and the integration of European culture. This marked the onset of continued violence against the Aztecs.

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Interpretation of Hernán Cortés with the Tlaxcala.

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September, 1519

Following Cortés’s arrival, he formed an alliance with the Tlaxcalan; a rivalling indigenous group of the Aztecs. While the Tlaxcalans initially fought against the Spanish conquistadors, they eventually relented and made peace with Cortés and his men. Cortés found interest in an indigenous woman, La Malinche, for her linguistic fluency. Malinche was assigned to be one of Cortés’s translators, having negotiated through Malinche to the Tlaxcala tribe. She was the first woman to birth a child of mixed Tlaxcalan and Spanish blood. The alliance between the conquistadors and the Tlaxcala led to the fall of the Aztec empire, without the assistance from the Tlaxcalan Hernán Cortés and his men would not have been able to successfully conquer the mighty Aztec. Change occurred with the additional strength and cavalry provided by the Tlaxcala tribe, ultimately altering the conquest for the benefit of the Spanish.

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December, 1519

Cortés and his men enter the Aztec capital city, Tenochlitlán. Alongside them La Malinche followed as Cortés’ translator. Initially, the conquistadors were welcomed by Moctezuma, the Aztec emperor, with gifts and lavish treatment; however, Cortés became paranoid of the Aztec overpowering his men, so he held Montezuma captive in his own home to prevent betrayal. With the Aztec emperor detained, Cortés began attempting to rule the empire through Moctezuma which proved difficult when the governor of Cuba demanded Cortés be detained for insubordination. Cortés left his top lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado, in charge of Tenochtitlán while Cortés took his men to confront the Spanish force sent after him on the coast. In Cortés’ disappearance, Pedro had hundreds of Aztec nobles killed during a celebration, renamed as “The Massacre of Tloxcatl”. Hernán Cortés capturing the Aztec emperor led to a change in the leaders of the Aztec empire and the claiming of the Aztec capital.

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Painting of Aztec nobles being murdered in the Great temple.

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May 22nd, 1520

While Cortés was away, his lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado, condoned a massacre against unarmed Aztec nobles during a religious festival when they gathered to celebrate the end of the dry season. Tóxcatl was an annual Aztec tradition honouring the god Tezcatlipoca during May to mark the beginning of the wet season with ceremonies to ensure a good harvest and fertility. In Cortés’ absence, Alvarado was left in control of the conquistadors and the Aztec empire through Moctezuma. Moctezuma asked Alvarado for permission to celebrate Tóxcatl; despite this, Alvarado sent out Cortés’ men, seemingly unprompted, to kill the rightfully partying Aztec nobles in the main temple of Tenochtitlán, otherwise known as the “Great temple” or “Templo May”. This led to military confrontation and retaliation from the Aztec against the spanish, and eventually the fall of Tenochtitlán.

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Artistic interpretation of The Night of Sorrows.

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“The Night of Sorrows”

June 30th, 1520
On the 30th of June, Hernán Cortés and his conquistadors entered the capital city, Tenochtitlán with the intention of seizing the Aztec empire. After 5th slaughtering during Tloxcatle, many of the Aztec no longer welcomed the Spanish. Some growing suspicious of their captive leader, others avenging the nobles or acting on their own accord. This rebellion was one of the factors Cortés felt he must invade the empire within such a short time. His attempt did not go as planned, however, he did not expect such a strong uprising on behalf of the Aztec. Cortés had been residing within Moctezuma’s palace, during this night known as La Noche Triste (Spanish for The Night of Sorrows), Cortés murdered the Aztec emperor and began the killings of the Aztec people.

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May 26th–13th August, 1521

The siege and fall of Tenochtitlán, ending the Aztec empire.