The origin and rise of the Aztecs
The ancestors of the Aztecs were a tribe called the Mexica. The Mexica were a group of nomads from the Northern Region of Azatlan. They arrived at mexico in around 1250. The inhabitants of the area felt the Mexica were savages, and so they did not welcome the Mexica. However, the Mexica soon gained a reputation of great warriors, and were used as mercenaties. In 1376, they chose their first king, Acamapichtli. Under his reign, they expanded territorially and gained alliances from neighbours. In the reign of Montezuma, the Mexica expanded into central mexico, and under several uncer monarchs furthered their reign into Oaxaca, the Gulf Coast and Guatemala.
The fall of the Aztecs
When the Spaniards came, enemies of the Aztecs allied themselves with these invaders. The conqueror Hernando Cortes reached mexico in 1519, and had already known about the great civilization that reigned there. With only 500 men, Cortes managed to conquer the Mexica. This was because of several advantages; disease was rife in Mexico, and this weakened the populace, Aztecs though that he was a god, and the Spaniards had horses, a military advancement.
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http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth3618/images/Tenochtitlan2.jpg
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