Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Moctezuma and Cortes
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which students examine 13th Century primary source material of historical record to determine what the encounter between Moctezuma and Cortes might have really been like. With downloadable...
The Newberry Library
The Aztecs and the Making of Colonial Mexico: Europeans Invade the Aztec Empire
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded the Aztec empire in the 16th century. This conquest led to the colonization of Mexico. The Newberry Library provides an in depth look into this period of Mexican history through photos,...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Conquest, American Beginnings: 1492 1690
A series of illustrations and accounts of Spanish conquest of Indians that reflect the fascination with and the brutality directed against native cultures.
Cengage Learning
The Earth and Its People: Cortes on the Aztecs: Two Letters to Charles V
This site demonstrates the impression that native Mexican people made on Hernando Cortes during his conquest. Includes good discussion questions.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Hernando Cortes 1485 1547
Furnished is a brief summary of the life and explorations of Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortes. Take a look at the photos and maps of his journey of what today is called Mexico.
PBS
Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire
Learn about the fall of the Aztec Empire. You can use the navigation tool at the left to click into more information on the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest of Cortes. Uses popups.
San Jose State University
San Jose State University: Conquest of the Cities of Gold: Europe's Interactions
The arrival of Hernan Cortez in Mexico, his encounters with the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and the Spanish defeat of the Aztecs are described.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: Hernando Cortes Exploration
This account of "The Conquest of the Aztec Empire" tells the story of Cortes' encounter with the Aztecs and the fall of the empire.
Other
Timeline Index: Cortez, Conqueror of Mexico 1519
A chronology of the life of Hernando Cortez up to the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Age of Exploration: The Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Lengthy description of the life of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who brought down the Aztec Empire in Mexico. How this came to be is explained, with many details of the sophistication of Aztec civilization.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Hernan Cortes
Fordham University gives the text of Cortes' second letter to King Charles V, describing the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlan, and the people who lived there.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: An Aztec Account of the Spanish Conquest
Fordham University provides an excerpt of an Aztec account of the initial encounter of Montezuma and the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes, as published by noted anthropologist Miguel Leon-Portilla. The meeting-turned-massacre,...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Explorers for Kids: Hernan Cortes
Investigate the biography and life of Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortes. Read about how he conquered the Aztec Empire.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Hernando Cortes
A biography of Hernando Cortes (or Cortez) (1485 -1547), a Spanish adventurer who conquered what is now central and southern Mexico. His seizure of land, power, and wealth made him the greatest Spanish conqueror in the Americas. His...