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The Conquistadors

Short History Of...

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The Death of the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan

The Aztec leader in 1519 is Montezuma II, a man who has himself conquered neighbouring lands. Cortez persuades indigenous warriors to join his army to fight against Montezuma and the Aztecs. The conquistadors enter the city across a flower-covered causeway over the lake. They marvel at the chinampa or floating houses. But then two columns of Aztec men approach dressed elaborately with ornately woven cloaks. Does the Spaniard stand down his troops? Why does the Aztec king welcome Cortez? No one knows for sure.

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