- The Spanish forces possessed superior military technology compared to the Aztecs. They had firearms, cannons, and a highly trained and disciplined army with horses.
2. Alliances with Indigenous Groups:
- Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, formed strategic alliances with indigenous groups, such as the Tlaxcalans, who had their own grievances against the Aztecs and were willing to fight alongside the Spanish.
3. Disease:
- The arrival of European diseases such as smallpox and measles spread rapidly throughout the Aztec population. These diseases were devastating, as the Aztecs had no prior immunity to them, leading to a significant loss of life.
4. Siege of Tenochtitlan:
- Cortés and his allies laid siege to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, which lasted for several months. The Spanish cut off the city's water supply and disrupted the food supply, causing widespread famine and disease.
5. Cuauhtémoc's Capture:
- The final blow came when Cortés captured the Aztec emperor Cuauhtémoc. With their leader in captivity, the Aztecs lost their will to resist and eventually surrendered, leading to the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521.