What happened when Cortes and his soldiers first arrived in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan?
When Cortes and his soldiers first arrived in Tenochtitlan in 1519, they were greeted by the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II, who welcomed them as guests. The Spaniards were amazed by the grandeur and wealth of the city, which was built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco and connected to the mainland by causeways.
However, tensions soon began to escalate between the Spanish conquistadors and the Aztecs. Cortes sought to conquer and colonize the Aztec empire, while the Aztecs were wary of the newcomers and their intentions. The situation eventually led to a series of conflicts and battles between the two groups.
Despite initially being welcomed into Tenochtitlan, the relationship between the Spanish and the Aztecs deteriorated, leading to the eventual fall of the Aztec capital in 1521. Moctezuma was taken captive by the Spanish, and the city was pillaged and destroyed.