Cortés initially received a warm welcome in Cholula, but tensions soon escalated. Fearing a potential ambush, Cortés preemptively attacked the city in what is known as the Cholula Massacre. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of indigenous people were killed.
This violent episode shocked many indigenous groups and demonstrated the ruthlessness of the Spanish. It also served as a warning to others about the consequences of resisting Cortés.
Approaching Tenochtitlan
From Cholula, Cortés and his forces advanced toward Tenochtitlan. The landscape began to change dramatically as they approached the Valley of Mexico, a high-altitude basin surrounded by mountains and dotted with lakes.
Tenochtitlan itself was situated on an island in Lake Texcoco, connected to the mainland by causeways. The city’s grandeur was unlike anything the Spaniards had seen—magnificent temples, bustling marketplaces, and impressive urban planning.
The journey through the valley required careful negotiation with surrounding city-states and controlling access points. Cortés sent envoys ahead to Montezuma II, the Aztec emperor, signaling his approach. shutdown123