Who conquered the Aztecs?

Hernan Cortes is recognized for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire. In 1519, he arrived in what is now Mexico and, through a combination of military might, strategic alliances with neighboring indigenous tribes, and the advantages of European technology and weaponry, he was able to capture the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521. His approach included exploiting local rivalries, using interpreters like La Malinche, and leveraging the impact of diseases such as smallpox, which decimated the indigenous population and weakened resistance to Spanish conquest.

Other figures, while significant in their own right, are not associated with the conquest of the Aztecs. Francisco Pizarro, for example, is known for his conquest of the Inca Empire in South America, not the Aztecs. Diego Velazquez was primarily a governor of Cuba and involved in the early Caribbean conquests, while Juan de Salazar was involved in the early explorations of the Río de la Plata. Therefore, the historical context clearly attributes the conquest of the Aztecs to Hernan Cortes.