The Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs: Cortés and the Fall of Tenochtitlan

In this episode of The Rise of Colonialism, Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic collapse of the Aztec Empire, focusing on Hernán Cortés's audacious campaign from 1519 to 1521. They discuss how Cortés leveraged indigenous allies like the Tlaxcalans, exploited internal divisions, and used superior technology and strategy to overcome the Mexica. The conversation covers key figures such as Moctezuma II, La Malinche, and Cuauhtémoc, as well as the pivotal Battle of Otumba and the brutal siege of Tenochtitlan. Lucas details the impact of smallpox, the psychological warfare, and the complex alliances that made the conquest possible. The episode also grapples with the moral weight of the conquest and the destruction of a civilization. No prior knowledge is assumed, but listeners will gain a vivid understanding of this pivotal moment in colonial history. #Aztecs #CortS #Tenochtitlan #Moctezuma #LaMalinche #Tlaxcala #NocheTriste #BattleOfOtumba #Smallpox #CuauhtMoc #Mexica #Conquistadors #SpanishEmpire #Colonialism #History #FexingoHistory #16thCentury #Mesoamerica #EuropeanImperialism #AgeOfExploration Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo