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.
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.
Other
Aztec History: Aztec History
A detailed look at the great Aztec Empire! The menu bar links to all the major topics: religion, food, clothing, art, timeline, family life, languages, calendar, culture, music, games, government. Within each topic are related photos.
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas the Land of the Four Quarters
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Incan empire. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Aztec (Mexica), an Introduction
This article from The British Museum provides a short history of the Mexica (Aztec) peoples and their empire.
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans the Land of the Four Quarters
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage describes the Inca Empire and shares a theory about how the civilization disappeared. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary...
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans Cuzco: City of Gold
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage describes the ancient city of Cuzco, the center of activity during the Inca Empire. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii
Under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire was strong and expanded its borders. However, when the Spanish arrived, their superior power and weapons enabled them to conquer the Aztecs. Read about Moctezuma's life, his interactions with the Spanish...
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,...
Other
Aztec Centers in the Region of Lake Texcoco
A map of Lake Texcoco, showing the Aztec centers in the region at the time of the Spanish conquistadors. The entry route of Cortes into the city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, is designated along with causeways into the city. A few...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Hernando Cortes Facts
Interesting biographical facts on the life of Hernando Cortes, the man who conquered the Aztec empire.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: World History: Unit: 600 1450 Regional & Interregional Interaction
The World History unit is from Khan Academy. The years 600 to 1450 are included. The Byzantine Empire, European Middle Ages, origins of Islam, spread of Islam, Great Schism, Crusades, Mongols, Song China, Medieval Japan, Maya Empire,...
Mex Connect
People and History of Mexico: The Post Classic Period (900 1521 Ad): The Aztecs
Information on the settlement of the Aztec in Tenochtitlan, which soon became the capital city of their empire, their notable religious observations and customs, and the news of the landing of the bearded white men bearing crosses.
American Indian Heritage Foundation
Indians.org: The Aztecs/mexicas
Learn about the Aztecs or Mexicas via this broad look at the mesoamerican empire via an overview description and many detail links on different aspects of the culture.
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.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Spain's Territorial Conquest in the Americas
The history of Spanish territorial conquest in the New World is the history of the succession of conquistadors who often overwhelmed native empires, but were sometimes overwhelmed themselves. Read about the conquistadors who came to the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza
The Codex Mendoza, commissioned by Viceroy Mendoza, contained information about the lords of Tenochtitlan, the tribute paid to the Aztecs, and an account of life "from year to year." Read descriptions and view pictures of the codex in...
Ducksters
Ducksters: History for Kids: Aztecs, Maya, and Inca
Kids learn about the ancient civilizations of the Americas including the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca Empires.
Read Works
Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas Cuzco: City of Gold
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Incan city Cuzco. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Mex Connect
Mexico's Colonial Era Part Ii: Religion and Society in New Spain
This article examines religion in Mexico beginning with the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and some of the changes since then.