The Aztecs

Flood in Tenochtitlan

1452

In 1452 Tenochtitlan is damaged by a flood. The years afterwards are filled with people dying from starvation and famine. Over 10,000 people were sacrificed to the gods in effort to make famine stop.

Great Temple

1487

In 1487 there was a dedication of the Great Temple. This was held at Tenochtitlan and was the 6th version of this temple.

Oaxaca

1494

In 1494 the Aztec leader, Ahuitzotl conquers the central valleys of Oaxaca.

Montezuma 2

1502

In 1502, there is a new king. He was called Montezuma 2 and was the ninth ever Aztec king. He would serve as their king for 17 years before he was captured and killed by Hernan Cortez.

Aztecs moving to the Valley of Mexico

1519

The Aztecs lived in the Valley of Mexico in Texcoco in 1519. When they arrived to this valley other groups of people had already settled there so they decided to set up a settlement in the swamp. The Aztecs did not only want acceptance but they wanted to be the rulers among every other group of people.

Hernan Cortez's Arrival

1519

In 1519, Hernan Cortez, a Spanish conquistador, arrived in Tenochtitlan and the Aztecs treat him as a welcomed guest. Then later Cortez takes their king, Montezuma 2 and holds him as prisoner. Montezuma will then be killed.

Cuauhtémoc

1520

In 1520 the Aztecs need a new ruler. Cuauhtémoc will then be their new king and is the tenth king for the Aztecs. He stayed as their king for five years until he died in 1525.

Hernan Cortez's Attack

1521

Two years after Cortez’s first attack on the Aztecs he comes back in 1521 to wipe out the Aztecs and take over their land. To do this he became allies with one of the Aztec's largest enemies. During his first attack he captured their king.

Rebuilding Tenochtitlan

1522

In 1522 the Spanish will start to rebuild Tenochtitlan and this land will then be called Mexico City and is the capital of New Spain.

Cuauhtémoc's Death

1525

In 1525, Cuauhtémoc was hung by the Spaniards for revenge for taking over their land.