What led to the demise of the Aztecs and Incas?

What led to the demise of the Aztecs and Incas?

The Europeans brought with them diseases such as measles and smallpox against which the American tribes had no natural immunity. They spread like wildfire, killing rulers of both the Aztecs and Incas, along with millions of other people.

How did the Aztecs lose against the Spanish?

During the Spaniards’ retreat, they defeated a large Aztec army at Otumba and then rejoined their Tlaxcaltec allies. In May 1521, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán, and after a three-month siege the city fell. This victory marked the fall of the Aztec empire.

What percentage of the Aztecs died from diseases?

Researchers believe they have uncovered the disease that wiped out millions of people — about 80% of the Aztec population — about 500 years ago.

What caused the fall of the Aztec Empire?

Which caused hatred from those city-states , such as the powerful city-state Tlaxcala. At the end, Tlaxcala teamed up with the Spanish to fight the Aztecs. Disease. Another huge reason of the fall of the empire was disease.

What disease did the Aztecs suffer from?

In 1545, an unknown disease struck the Aztec Empire. Those who came down with it might become feverish, start vomiting, and develop blotches on their skin. Most horrific of all, they’d bleed from their eyes, mouth, and nose, then die within a few days.

How did smallpox bring down the Aztec Empire?

One of Cortes’ men got the disease and smallpox spread across the population. 25% of the population died from smallpox only. The big thing that brought the Aztec Empire down was that smallpox killed Cuitláhuac , the emperor of the Aztec Empire. When there was nobody to command , the Aztec Empire collapsed quickly.

Why did the Aztecs not completely destroy the Spanish army?

Even more interesting is the theory that, at one point, the Aztecs did not completely destroy the Spanish army because they wanted more people to sacrifice to their gods. This was a tactical error that at least hastened the fall of the Aztec empire.