Aztec Empire Collapse and Spanish Conquest - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, places, and concepts from the notes on the Aztec collapse and Cortés’s conquest.

Tenochtitlan

Capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on Lake Texcoco; site of the Aztec capital and pivotal in Cortés’s conquest.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that destroyed the Aztec monarchy and expanded control over much of the Aztec Empire; landed at Veracruz in 1519.

Alvarado

Cortés’s lieutenant placed in charge during Cortés’s absence; his harsh rule provoked Aztec revolt.

Montezuma II

Aztec emperor when Cortés arrived; captured by Cortés; his influence crumbled under captivity.

Otumba

Battle near Lake Texcoco on July 7, 1520 where Spaniards defeated the Aztec army, aided by European tactics and weapons.

Aztec warfare (ceremonial)

Warfare in Aztec society was largely ceremonial and tied to ritual sacrifice rather than strategic, divide-and-conquer tactics.

Divide and conquer

European tactic of splitting an enemy’s forces to destroy them individually; contrasted with Aztec military practice.

European technology

Guns, cannons, muskets, crossbows, and steel swords that gave Europeans a decisive advantage over Aztec weapons.

Veracruz

Port at which Cortés landed in February 1519 before advancing to Tenochtitlan.

Montezuma hostage

Cortés took Montezuma hostage, which undermined Aztec leadership and weakened resistance.

Montezuma's death

The Spaniards executed Montezuma after his capture, removing a central Aztec authority.