jan 1, 1519 - Hernán Cortés lands in México

Description:

Spain's lust for "God, Gold, and Glory" led Hernán Cortés to depart from Cuba in 1519 and invade México. At first, Moctezuma, the Aztec chieftain, thought he was the god Quetzalcoatl, so he treated him with hospitality. Both sides marveled at the other's advancements, most notably the beautiful architecture of Tenochtitlán and the horses and muskets that the Spanish owned. However, Cortés just lusted for gold and glory, so he acquired two translators (Doña Marina and a rescued Spanish captive) and awaited his opportunity to strike. This encounter led to the spread smallpox throughout the Aztec population that made them easier to conquer in the end.