Who resisted the Spanish during the conquest of Mexico?

The Aztec Empire, led by Emperor Cuauhtémoc, primarily resisted the Spanish during the conquest of Mexico.

The Spanish conquest of Mexico, also known as the Conquest of the Aztec Empire, was a significant event in the 16th century. The primary resistance to this conquest came from the Aztec Empire, a powerful Mesoamerican civilisation with a vast and complex political system. The Aztecs were led by their Emperor Cuauhtémoc, who played a crucial role in organising and leading the resistance against the Spanish invaders.

The Spanish, under the command of Hernán Cortés, arrived in Mexico in 1519. They were initially received with curiosity and hospitality by the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II, who believed Cortés to be the god Quetzalcoatl. However, relations quickly soured due to cultural misunderstandings and the Spanish's insatiable lust for gold. The Spanish took Moctezuma hostage, leading to a period of tension and conflict.

After the death of Moctezuma, Cuauhtémoc ascended to the throne and immediately began organising resistance against the Spanish. He rallied his people and led a fierce defence of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, the Aztecs managed to hold off the Spanish for several months during the Siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521.

However, the Spanish had several advantages that eventually led to their victory. They had superior weaponry, including firearms and cannons, which the Aztecs lacked. They also formed alliances with other indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs, notably the Tlaxcalans. Additionally, the Spanish unknowingly brought with them diseases such as smallpox, which decimated the Aztec population and weakened their ability to resist.

Despite these odds, the Aztecs, under Cuauhtémoc's leadership, put up a valiant fight. Their resistance was characterised by a deep determination to protect their culture and way of life. Even after the fall of Tenochtitlan, Cuauhtémoc continued to resist the Spanish until his capture in 1525. His bravery and leadership have made him a symbol of resistance and national pride in Mexico.