Arrange the events in the correct order. Tiles: Options: Moctezuma II welcomed the Spanish, thinking that Cortés was the human incarnation of the god Quetzalcoatl. Cortés and his men brought smallpox to the city of Tenochtitlan, killing many Aztec. Cortés established alliances with enemies of the Aztec such as the Tlaxcalans. Cortés marched up the coast of Mexico and conquered the territory of Veracruz. Sequence: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Answer
The correct order of events is: Cortés conquers Veracruz, forms alliances with enemies of the Aztecs, is welcomed by Moctezuma II, and brings smallpox to Tenochtitlan. These events detail the initial interactions between the Spanish conquistadors and the Aztec Empire. The Spanish conquest led to significant changes in the indigenous population and power dynamics in the region.
Explanation
Hernán Cortés marched up the coast of Mexico and conquered the territory of Veracruz. Cortés established alliances with enemies of the Aztecs such as the Tlaxcalans. Moctezuma II welcomed the Spanish, thinking that they were possibly connected to his god Quetzalcoatl. Cortés and his men brought smallpox to the city of Tenochtitlan, which caused a high death toll among the Aztec population. Explanation: Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in April 1519 and first established a settlement in Veracruz, marking the beginning of his conquest. Realizing he would need support, he allied with groups opposed to the Aztecs, notably the Tlaxcalans, which helped him bolster his forces against the powerful Aztec Empire. When Cortés and his men reached Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II initially welcomed them, perhaps influenced by the belief that they could be divine figures. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Spanish led to a smallpox outbreak that devastated the indigenous population, severely weakening Aztec resistance.