The Fall of Tenochtitlan

The podcast discusses the fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, in 1521. The city was one of the largest and most powerful in the world at that time, with a population of around 150,000 people. The Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, led an army of Spaniards and indigenous allies, including the Tlaxcalans, to defeat the Aztecs. The fall of Tenochtitlan was not solely due to military strength, but also the devastating effects of disease, such as smallpox, brought by the Europeans. The conquistadors, led by Cortes, pillaged and looted the city, resulting in its decline. However, it is important to note that the city was not completely destroyed but was rebuilt by indigenous elites under Spanish rule.