Spanish Conquest (1519–1521 AD)

The Spanish Conquest (1519–1521) refers to the period when Spanish explorers and conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, arrived in Mexico and overthrew the powerful Aztec Empire. This conquest was facilitated by alliances with rival indigenous groups and the impact of European diseases on the Aztecs. The Maya, who inhabited southern Mexico and Central America, were already facing their own challenges, including conflict and decline. The conquest led to significant cultural, social, and political changes, paving the way for Spanish colonization and the spread of European influence in the Americas, along with profound consequences for indigenous populations.