Plan of Investigation The expeditions led by Hernan Cortes which resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire widely changed the future for the country of Mexico. The objective of this investigation is to compare and contrast the perspectives of the Spanish and the Aztecs during the event of the fall of the Aztec Empire (1519-1521). This will be completed with an emphasis on the Aztec perspective. From this time period, the most documented and discussed opinion is that of the Spanish as they colonized the New World. However, the point of view from the Aztec Empire is equally important. Three of the sources used to gain the knowledge that is needed are “The Conquest of Mexico”, “Cortes and the downfall of the Aztec Empire: a study in the conflict of cultures”, and “Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the last stand of the Aztecs”. The three aforementioned print sources are all secondary sources; primary sources could not be found when looked for. Summary of Evidence -Montezuma was well aware that Cortes was on his way. He had men outside Tenochtitlan that had informed him of Cortes’s arrival before it happened (Thomas, 1993). - Montezuma allowed for the Spaniards to remain along the coast if they desired, however he would under no circumstance come out to greet them nor were they to venture in to visit him. The Spaniards were to take his gifts as gestures of good faith and evidence of his vast wealth – and leave. Montezuma’s gifts were sent out to assert his unchallengeable wealth and power but they had the opposite effect. Their grandiosity irritated the greed of the Spaniards. It was obvious at this point that Cortes had no intention of leaving, which Montezuma sensed. Cortes then returned the favor and offered gifts in exchange for a meeting with the Aztec ruler. He was repeatedly turned down (Johnson, 2009). - Cortes claimed during his meetings with Montezuma that he was seen in the eyes of the Aztec’s as Quetzalcoatl. However, Montezuma never completely thought this. He was merely concerned of the fact as he had heard rumors of it and at this point was attempting to decipher whether it was true or not (Collis, 1999). - Cortes would remain ensconced in Tenochtitlan for five months during which he and his captive Montezuma would develop one of the most peculiar relationships in recorded history. Driven partly by military necessity, the two men coexisted for nearly half a year in a bizarre ruler-puppet scenario with contrasting religious beliefs and a regional power struggle. During the weeks that followed Montezuma’s kidnapping, he continued to rule. Additionally through this time he led excursions which included Cortes and his men. Despite these diversions, Cortes never stopped calculating and planning. He saw through Montezuma’s plan of befriending him in the hopes of creating a sense of sympathy for the situation Cortes had put him in. From this point on Cortes ruled the Aztec empire more than any outside eye could have seen (White, 1971). - After Cortes had created terror amongst the Aztec empire, Montezuma was left with very little to say other than “I wish only to die. Fate has brought me to such a pass because of him that I do not wish to live or hear his voice again.” Unable to convince the emperor to face his own people voluntarily, Cortes ordered men to lead him to the roof. The Spa