Time+Frame

Timeline and Changes The Aztec empire was actually a triple alliance consisting of the Acolhua people (of Texcoco), the Mexica (of Tenochtitlán), and the Tepaneca (of Tlacopan). The Aztecs existed from about 1200 AD to 1600 AD, and in that time, there were eleven rulers:
 * Acamapichtli 1376-1395
 * Huitzilihuitzli 1395-1417
 * Chimalpopoca 1417-1427
 * Itzcoatl 1427-1440
 * Moctezuma I 1440-1469
 * Azayactl 1469-1481
 * Tizoc 1481-1486
 * Ahuitzotl 1486-1502
 * Moctezuma II 1502-1520
 * Cuitahuac 1520
 * Cuauhetemoc 1520- 1525

In the beginning, the Mexicas moved all over trying to find a place to settle. In 1325, Tenochtitlán was settled by the Mexicas. The mexicas religious leader, Tenoch, died in 1370, and in 1376, they elected Acamapichtli to be their ruler. They began to build the Templo Mayor in 1390. During the reign of their second ruler, they created an alliance with the Tepaneca. Then, in 1427, the Tepaneca must have not liked the third ruler, because they assassinated him, and that started war. Now by that point, the Tepaneca had become dominant in central Mexico and took tribute from the Mexica. Then in 1431, the triple alliance was established and they became the foundation of the empire. Unfortunately, in 1452, Tenochtitlán was severely damaged by a flood, and for the next two years it was in famine.

At their Height, the empire ran quite smoothly, and in 1487, they had a dedication of Templo Mayor, which was the sixth version of the temple. In 1502, Moctezuma II, who was the most famous king, became ruler. He had reigned about five to six million people! Then in 1510, Tenochtitlán was hit again with severe floods.

The fall of the empire began in 1517, when they saw a comet, which they believed signified impending doom. On November 8th, 1519, Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador, arrived in Tenochtitlán. Then in 1520, he allied with the Aztecs’ enemies, the Tlaxcala, and assault on the empire began. One July 1st, the Spanish army was driven back so both the Spanish and the Tlaxcala suffered much loss. This event was know as la Noche Triste, or The sad night. Also in 1520, the 10th king, Cuitahuac, was elected, but also died from the first smallpox epidemic in Tenochtitlán.

The smallpox came to Tenochtitlán all because of Cortes. When he came to Mexico, a Spanish army came from Cuba to make sure he followed orders, But Cortes didn’t like that, so he fought. In the Cuban army, was an African who was held as a slave, and he had smallpox. During battle, one of Cortes’ men caught the disease, and when they returned, the Aztec Army attacked the Spanish, killing lots, and making the others run. The soldier died, but when they stripped him of his possessions, the Aztecs got the disease. It spread through the empire very fast, and since no one knew how to treat it, 25% of the poulation died, usually everyone in a household.

So after Cuitahuac died, Cuauhetemoc became king. On August 13, 1521, he surrendered to Cortes, and Tenochtitlán was destroyed. In 1522, the Spanish rebuilt the city now called Mexico City. Three years later, they hung Cuauhetemoc.