Cortez came to Mexico with 600 men, 16 horses, and a few cannons. He gained alliances with disgruntled groups of people conquered by the Aztecs. They promised to help Cortez take over the Aztec Empire. The Spaniards ventured into Tenochtitlan (the capital of the Aztec Empire) despite the desperate attempts of Moctezuma to stop them. They captured Moctezuma, causing the Aztecs and Spain to go to war. Moctezuma was killed and Spain took over. The conquistadors established Mexico City on the ruins of Tenochtitlan.
Hernan Cortez
Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztecs
Moctezuma
Aztec emperor