Fall of Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan, present-day Mexico City, Mexico
What happened
The Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, with thousands of Indigenous allies, especially Tlaxcalan warriors, and helped by his interpreter La Malinche, besieged Tenochtitlan, defended by the Mexica (Aztec) ruler Cuauhtémoc. Tenochtitlan, the Mexica capital, stood on an island in Lake Texcoco, linked to the shore by causeways. Cortés and his many Indigenous allies, who resented Mexica rule, attacked the city. A smallpox epidemic had already devastated the people of the city and killed much of its leadership. The Mexica surrendered on 13 August 1521.
Why it matters
Result: Spanish and Tlaxcaltec victory Fall of the Mexica. Leaders: Hernán Cortés / Gonzalo de Sandoval against Cuauhtémoc / Coanacoch. Why it matters: The fall of Tenochtitlan ended the Mexica (Aztec) Empire. Spain went on to create the colony of New Spain.
What came next
Cuauhtémoc was taken on Cortés's expedition to Honduras in 1525 and died there.
Did you know?
Cuauhtémoc, whose name means 'Descending Eagle', is honoured in Mexico today with a monument in Mexico City and his face on coins and banknotes.
Timeline
- 1520 CECuauhtémoc becomes ruler of Tenochtitlan.
- 13 August 1521 CEThe Mexica surrender.
- 1525 CECuauhtémoc is taken on Cortés's expedition to Honduras.