Who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire?

The conquest of the Aztec Empire was led by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

Hernán Cortés, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, is widely recognised for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire. This monumental event took place in the early 16th century, during the Age of Discovery, a period marked by extensive overseas exploration by European powers.

Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, Spain. In 1504, he travelled to the New World, where he initially served as a notary in the colony of Hispaniola. His ambition and desire for wealth led him to join an expedition to Cuba, and later, in 1519, he set out on his own expedition to Mexico, against the orders of the governor of Cuba.

Upon arrival, Cortés and his men encountered the Aztecs, a powerful and sophisticated civilisation. The Aztecs were initially welcoming, believing Cortés to be a representative of the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. However, relations quickly soured as Cortés sought to convert the Aztecs to Christianity and seize their gold.

Cortés formed alliances with other indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs, notably the Tlaxcalans. With their help, and by exploiting divisions within the Aztec Empire, Cortés was able to capture the Aztec ruler, Moctezuma II. Despite this, the Aztecs rebelled and drove the Spanish out of their capital, Tenochtitlán, in an event known as La Noche Triste (The Sad Night).

Cortés regrouped and returned in 1521 with a larger force, including indigenous allies. After a three-month siege, Tenochtitlán fell, marking the end of the Aztec Empire. The Spanish then established the colony of New Spain, with Mexico City built on the ruins of Tenochtitlán.

The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Cortés and his men was a pivotal event in the history of the Americas. It marked the beginning of a period of Spanish dominance in the region, and the introduction of European culture, religion, and diseases to the indigenous populations. The fall of the Aztec Empire is a complex and multifaceted event, with many factors contributing to its downfall, including internal strife, European diseases, and the military tactics of the Spanish.