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The major event was the invasion of the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (aka Hernando Cortez 1485-1547), who tricked the Aztecs into them worshipping him, and then attacked with his superior military and destroyed them.
There was also the exposure to European diseases and the lack of national unity, as many of the people of the region disliked the rule of the Aztecs (under Moctezuma II). These factors also led to the decline of the Incas in Peru.
The Effect of An Indigenous Disease
The "Cocolitzli" sickness ultimately caused the demise of the Aztec society. Cocolitzli appeared immediately after long, severe periods of geographic drought. Contemporary research suggests a mutated variation of the Hantavirus, carried by rodents ultimately caused the Cocolitzli which in essence wiped out 80% of the indigenous populations. In fact, the disease ravaged Spanish clergy as well, who had a high degree of exposure to native populations, by virtue of their close association with the peoples as part of the conversion process. Contemporary research suggests European disease had limited impact on decline of the Aztec empire.
After periods of drought, followed immediately by a torrentially wet year, rodent populations exploded because of the newly abundant sources of food. This created huge numbers of Hanta carriers, exposing the human population to the virus. Research also suggests that the Hantavirus mutated, and was subsequently able to jump the species barrier-from human to human, similar to that of the "Swineflu (H1N1)" virus and the "Birdflu" virus. The tenacity of the virus caused the rapid spread from person to person, decimating the population in the process. Drought in the New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and the Colorado area caused a spat of Hanta in 1993 which caused the deaths of 58 Americans before the CDC was able to isolate the rodents and contain the virus through culling. Forensic disease researchers believe the same environmental factors in 1993 which caused the Hanta outbreak also were responsible for the Aztec Cocolitzli and conquest of the culture.
Certainly the musket and the cannon played a part in the demise of native populations, though ultimately it was disease that decimated the Aztecs. It wasn't smallpox, nor measles, mumps, rubella, or plague. But a highly dangerous and virulent strain of the Hantavirus- a bug which is as dangerous today as it was 500 years ago.
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What led to the decline of the Aztec Empire?
One thing that led to the decline of the Aztec Empire was the shortage of skilled farmers. Mistreating the people they conquered. Additionally, the Spanish Conquistadors ripped the empire apart, destroyed the Aztec Army, killed Moctezuma (the Aztec Leader), and colonized the entire region.
What events led to the Decline of the Empire?
The Aztecs had a lot of enemies and when the Spanish conquistadors arrived to Mexico the Aztec enemies were more than happy to help the Spanish destroy the Aztecs.
Which led to the decline of the Aztec Empire?
Muslims conquered other areas in Africa and cut off Axum from its lucrative trade routes.
The period of disorder after the decline of the roman empire led to the?
The period of disorder after the decline of the Roman Empire led to an extended period of disunity during the Middle Ages that was characterized by feudalism.
What led to the decline of the Persian Empire?
It's takeover by Alexander the great.
What led to the decline of the Aztec Empire?
One thing that led to the decline of the Aztec Empire was the shortage of skilled farmers. Mistreating the people they conquered. Additionally, the Spanish Conquistadors ripped the empire apart, destroyed the Aztec Army, killed Moctezuma (the Aztec Leader), and colonized the entire region.
What events led to the Decline of the Empire?
The Aztecs had a lot of enemies and when the Spanish conquistadors arrived to Mexico the Aztec enemies were more than happy to help the Spanish destroy the Aztecs.
Who led the spanish march into the Aztec empire in 1519?
Hernan Cortes was a Conquistador that led Spain into the Aztec Empire, and precipitated that empire's fall.
Which led to the decline of Aztec?
A conquistador named Hernan Cortes.
What events led to the decline of Incan empire?
Francisco Pizarro. However, the Incan empire was already declining from disease brought by previous Spanish conquistadors.
Which led to the decline of the Aztec Empire?
Muslims conquered other areas in Africa and cut off Axum from its lucrative trade routes.
What events led to the creation of the Aztec empire?
The Aztec people of northern Mexico, arrived in Mesoamerica in the 1200s. They settled the city of Tenochtitlan and flourished in Mexico until the arrival of Europeans in the 15th century.
What were the major events growth of the ottoman empire?
After the growth of the Ottoman Empire, the state had already reached its pinnacle. This led to the stagnation and decline of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted hundreds of years.
The Spanish defeat of the Aztec Empire was led by whom?
The Spanish defeat of the Aztec Empire was led by Hernan Cortes in April of 1520. He was accompanied by a man named Pizarro.
What was The gobernment in Mexico in 1519?
It was an Empire, led by the Aztec civilization.
The period of disorder after the decline of the roman empire led to the?
The period of disorder after the decline of the Roman Empire led to an extended period of disunity during the Middle Ages that was characterized by feudalism.
What led the Mongol Empire to decline?
The short answer is: infighting and the plague.
