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The Fall of Tenochtitlan: Cortés and the Aztec Empire
In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico with a few hundred men. By 1521, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan lay in ruins, and the Spanish had conquered one of the largest empires in the Americas. This episode explores the dramatic siege of Tenochtitlan, focusing on the role of indigenous allies — especially the Tlaxcalans — the pivotal 'Noche Triste', and the leadership of Moctezuma II and Cuauhtémoc. We discuss Cortés's use of horses, guns, and psychological warfare, but also the devastating impact of smallpox, which killed more Aztecs than Spanish swords ever did…
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