Aztec Empire Crumbles Due to Moctezuma II's Ineptitude - (1480? - 1520)

Throughout the history of civilization, dynasties have come and gone for a variety of reasons, chief among them has been the abilities or ineptitude of their leaders.  For example, incompetence played a crucial role in the fall of the Roman empire, which once ruled 90% of the world.

Many Americans know little about the the history of their neighbor to the South, Mexico.  To them,  Moctezuma is just some Aztec emperor who has the dubious distinction of having the diarrhea American tourist sometimes get from drinking from the local water supply named after him (Moctezuma's revenge).   

Actually, Moctezuma Xocoyotl, or Moctezuma II was not a man to be taken lightly.  He was a very powerful, decisive, and ruthless leader who oversaw a huge empire with great wealth.  He was also the last emperor of the Aztecs.  Here is why. 

Moctezuma was the absolute ruler of the one of the world's mightiest powers, yet this supreme leader who had the world in his hands, was felled by a force of fewer than a thousand men.

Moctezuma was born around C.E. 1480.  He was well schooled in Aztec legends, and was also a promising theology student in his early twenties just prior to taking over the throne.  From the time he became emperor,  Moctezuma Xocoyotl, the last name meaning simply "the youngest," showed signs of being an adept take-charge ruler. 

Moctezuma boldly and fearlessly campaigned at the head of his armies, who won forty-three battles against enemies of the Aztec empire under Moctezuma's able leadership.

Moctezuma was equally assertive and adept with domestic affairs.  During his rein temples were greatly embellished, and a double aqueduct was constructed for the capital (Tenochtitlán) bringing fresh water to the thirsty populace.  

He was such a hands-on leader that he would test judges by offering them bribes to see if they were corrupt, and he would even walk amongst the people in disguise to check for himself if his edicts were being implemented and enforced.

While Mexico's history is rich and complex and many incidents and individuals have shaped its history, the defeat of Moctezuma and the fall of the Azec empire clearly had a profound effect upon Mexico's history.

The fall of Moctezuma can be attributed to his only known weakness, "religious superstition."  Moctezuma could have easily crushed Cortez's invading force of fewer than 1000 men, but he believed they were supernatural beings.  As a theology student Moctezuma was well acquainted with the legend of the beloved Aztec god, Quetzalcatl, who according to legend would one day return as a bearded and fair-skinned man.

Upon learning of the Spanish landing at Veracruz, Moctezuma was infuriated, but he was paralyzed by indecision.  Seeking council, he meet with his top advisers and an allied king, Cacama of Texcoco. Unfortunately, the meeting was of no help whatsoever, because some wanted to fight Cortés while others felt Cortés should not be resisted because he and his men were divine beings or "representativas." 

Ultimately, the course of action Moctezuma choose was the most disastrous course of all: he foolishly attempted to bribe Cortés into leaving Mexico by sending embassies laden down with rich gifts. "This was to reveal, at once, both his wealth and his weakness," wrote William H. Prescott, a well recognized l9th century historian with extensive knowledge of Cortés conquest of the Aztec empire.

Cortés was twice as bold as Moctezuma was indecisive.  Cortés was as tenacious as a bulldog; he simply would not take no for an answer.  Moctezuma's envoys told Cortés he could not have an audience Moctezuma, but the tenacious Cortés has the gall to reply that he "couldn't" leave Mexico before visiting Tenochtitlán and paying his respects in to Moctezuma in person. In an act of supreme daring (that may have been inspired by inside information) Cortés ordered all but one of his ships burned.  The single ship he saved was to return to Spain to report to report developments to King Charles V.

The superstitious Moctezuma, who was surrounded with humble and meek people, believed that only a supernatural being could be endowed with such gall and he allowed Cortés to enter Tenochtitlán on November 12, 1519. 

As Cortés entered the city, he became quite uneasy.  There were over 300,000, people in the Aztec capital.  It was far larger than any city in Europe. His small force, even with his Spanish cannon and cavalry, wouldn't have a chance against such overwhelming forces if a battle was to ensure.

The most fatal of Moctezuma's mistakes lead to what is arguably the most daring moves in history.  For some bizarre reason (probably the prodding of spies and traders) the Aztec emperor allowed Cortés and a few of his trusted aides into the imperial palace.  Upon entering the palace, Cortés had Moctezuma placed under arrest.  To justify this arrest, Cortés claimed that Moctezuma had ordered a coastal tribe to attack the Spanish garrison at Veracruz.

Cortés and his fellow Spaniards could not have had a more valuable hostage then the supreme leader of the Aztec empire.  This bold act also broke Moctezuma's spirit by causing him to loose the respect of his people.  The beguiled emperor spent the last months of his life trying to ingratiate himself with his captors.  It was bizarre that he would play ball games with the Spaniards in the imperial guardians and lavish all manners of gifts upon the men who had decreased him in front of his people.  Moctezuma, a beaten man, even converted to Christianity, and meekly swore allegiance to the King of Spain, Charles V.

Moctezuma's life came to and end in an equally bizarre way as his rein ended.  In April 1520, Cortés was returning from defeating a rival Spanish force at Veracruz sent by the envious governor of Cuba. While he was gone, Pedro de Alvarado, arguably the most brutal of the conquistadores, mistook a spirited religious ceremony as an rebellion and viscously slaughtered 3,400 Aztecs.

The Spaniards, who were barricaded inside the imperial palace, so found themselves facing the people of Tenochtitlán who became infuriated and rose massively against them.  

The Spaniards dispatched the docile Moctezuma to calm his outraged subjects, but Moctezuma was greeted with jeers and stones. A single stone made contact, knocking Moctezuma unconscious and he was carried from the balcony back into the palace by attendants. Although Moctezuma did not appear to be mortally wounded or even seriously hurt, within two weeks he was dead - some say it was due to a broken heart, rather than a blow to the head.  

Until the final moments of his life Moctezuma believed that he was facing a superhuman enemy or one with links to divine power that he lacked.  If not for the weakness of Moctezuma, religious superstition, the history of Mexico would be far different then what it is now. 

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