Video - The Fall of the Aztecs: Betrayal and Conquest

The Tragic Downfall of the Aztec Empire In 1519, the mighty Aztec Empire, ruled by Moctezuma II, stood as one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. But everything changed with the arrival of Hernán Cortés and his small group of conquistadors. Believing Cortés to be the god Quetzalcoatl, Moctezuma welcomed him into the heart of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital. However, this moment of peace quickly turned to betrayal. Cortés, seeking power and gold, seized control of the city and imprisoned Moctezuma. In the chaos that followed, a bloody rebellion erupted, and Moctezuma was killed under mysterious circumstances. The Aztecs fought fiercely to defend their empire, but the combination of disease, betrayal, and European weaponry led to their tragic downfall. By 1521, the once-great empire was destroyed, and the Aztecs’ culture and history were forever altered.