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Founding of Tenochtitlán

1325

The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, was founded by the Mexica people on an island in Lake Texcoco. The Mexica saw an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak, which they took as a divine sign. This event marked the beginning of the Mexica Empire in the Valley of Mexico.

The Temple Mayor Construction

1325

The Aztecs began the construction of the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán, dedicating it to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. It became the central religious and political symbol of the empire. The temple was expanded and rebuilt multiple times, reflecting the empire’s growth.

The Rise of the Triple Alliance

1428

The Mexica formed an alliance with the cities of Texcoco and Tlacopan, creating the Triple Alliance. This alliance significantly strengthened their military and economic power in central Mesoamerica. The event took place in the Valley of Mexico, setting the stage for the Aztec Empire's dominance.

Moctezuma I Becomes Emperor

1440

Moctezuma I became emperor and initiated campaigns to expand the Aztec Empire, including the conquest of the Oaxaca region. Under his rule, the empire consolidated its power, and tribute payments from conquered regions flowed into Tenochtitlán. His reign marked a period of military and economic growth for the Aztecs.

The Great Drought of 1450

1450

A severe drought affected the Aztec Empire, causing crop failures and famine. The drought weakened the empire's agricultural output, leading to a period of social and political instability. This event took place across the Valley of Mexico, highlighting the vulnerability of the Aztec economy.

The Conquest of the Huastecs

1460

The Aztecs, under Emperor Moctezuma I and later his successors, conquered the Huastec people along the Gulf Coast. The Aztec Empire's territory expanded to include the rich coastal region, vital for its control of trade routes. The Huastecs were forced into the Aztec tribute system, contributing valuable resources like salt.

The Conquest of the Tlaxcalans

1460

In the 1460s, the Aztecs, led by Emperor Axayacatl, conquered the Tlaxcalans after fierce battles. This victory expanded the Aztec Empire and secured control over the Valley of Mexico. The conquest took place in central Mexico, and the Tlaxcalans would later become key allies to the Spanish.

The Death of Moctezuma I

1469

Moctezuma I died after a successful and prosperous reign, having expanded the empire and its tribute system. His death set the stage for a period of consolidation and territorial expansion under his successors, particularly his son Axayacatl. Moctezuma's rule helped solidify the Aztec Empire as a dominant force in Mesoamerica.

The Reign of Ahuitzotl

1486

Ahuitzotl’s reign saw the empire reach its territorial peak, with successful military campaigns extending the Aztec Empire from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific. He expanded the empire through conquest and strengthened its economic base through tribute collection. Ahuitzotl’s reign also emphasized religious devotion, marked by the completion of the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán.

The Completion of the Templo Mayor

1487

Emperor Ahuitzotl completed the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlán, the Templo Mayor, which became the center of Aztec religious life. The temple’s dedication involved mass sacrifices, emphasizing the Aztecs' devotion to their gods. The Templo Mayor was symbolic of the empire’s power and religious ideology, dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc.

The Birth of Cuauhtémoc

1495

Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor, was born in 1495 in Tenochtitlán. He would later play a critical role in the defense of the empire against the Spanish during their conquest. His leadership during the fall of Tenochtitlán made him an enduring symbol of Aztec resistance.

The Development of the Aztec Calendar

1500

The Aztecs refined their complex calendar system, which included the Tonalpohualli and the Xiuhpohualli. These calendars governed both daily life and religious practices, and were integral to Aztec society. They demonstrate the advanced astronomical knowledge and religious importance the Aztecs placed on celestial events.

The Arrival of Cortés

1519

In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived on the coast of Mexico, leading to a fateful meeting with the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II. Moctezuma initially welcomed the Spanish, believing them to be divine messengers. This encounter set the stage for the eventual downfall of the Aztec Empire.

The First Meeting of Moctezuma and Cortés

1519

Moctezuma II met with Hernán Cortés in 1519, believing the Spanish might be the return of the god Quetzalcoatl. This meeting led to the Spanish being welcomed into Tenochtitlán, which would later prove disastrous for the Aztecs. The encounter initiated a series of political and military struggles between the Spanish and the Aztecs.

The Massacre at the Templo Mayor

1520

After tensions between the Spanish and the Aztecs grew, Cortés ordered the massacre of Aztec nobles at the Templo Mayor during a religious festival. This act of violence severely worsened relations, leading to open conflict. The massacre set off a chain of events that culminated in the siege of Tenochtitlán.

The Death of Cuitláhuac

1520

Cuitláhuac, the successor of Moctezuma II, died in 1520 from smallpox during the siege of Tenochtitlán. His death left the Aztec resistance without a strong leader at a crucial time. Despite his efforts to rally the people against the Spanish, his death hastened the empire's collapse.

The Death of Moctezuma II

1520

Moctezuma II died either from wounds inflicted by the Spanish or by stoning at the hands of his own people, who blamed him for allowing the Spanish into Tenochtitlán. His death left the Aztecs without a strong leader during a critical period. The leadership vacuum contributed to the weakening of Aztec resistance against the Spanish siege.

The Spanish Massacre of Aztec Nobles

1520

Cortés ordered a massacre of Aztec nobles in Tenochtitlán during the festival of Toxcatl in 1520. The massacre led to increased animosity and rebellion among the Aztec population. This event was pivotal in turning the Aztecs against the Spanish and initiating open conflict.

The Siege of Tenochtitlán

1521

Tenochtitlán fell to Cortés and his allies, including the Tlaxcalans. The Aztec capital was decimated by warfare, famine, and disease, particularly smallpox. The fall of Tenochtitlán marked the end of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish rule in Mexico.

The Spanish Destruction of Tenochtitlán

1521

The Spanish, with the help of their native allies, systematically destroyed Tenochtitlán during the siege of 1521. The city was ravaged by warfare, disease, and starvation, leading to its eventual fall. The destruction of Tenochtitlán marked the end of the Aztec civilization and the beginning of a new colonial era in Mexico.