Hernan Cortez and the Fall of the Aztecs Lesson

In this lesson, students will examine how the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez conquered the Aztec Empire between 1519 and 1521, focusing on the military strategies he employed, the alliances he formed with local peoples, and the internal pressures that weakened Aztec resistance. They will also explore the political and social consequences of the conquest, including the seizure of Tenochtitlan and the absorption of the Aztec people into the Spanish colonial system. Students will have the opportunity to achieve this through choosing their own method of learning, from reading, source analysis, and research options, as well as the chance to engage in extension activities. This lesson includes a self-marking quiz for students to demonstrate their learning.