The+Arrival+of+Spanish+Forces

=Oppression=

It was in 1519, that a harsh oppression fell upon the Aztec civilization after the arrival of the Spanish forces led out by Hernan Cortes. This invasion scarred the everyday individual's life. Nothing would ever be the same for anyone. Bloodshed fell upon them and slavery was also imposed. What was crucial to the fall of the Aztec empire, and thus the irreversible change of all common people, was the "alliance formed between Spanish and a rival group of the Aztecs." ("Aztecs: Conquest")

It was until 1521 in the city of Tenochtitlan, home of the Aztec civilization where they surrendered to the inhumane treatment. "Widespread epidemics of small pox and other diseases were not uncommon, and claimed the lives of millions. On the psychological front, historians and psychologists have offered another reason for the decimation of the Incan and Aztec populations, namely the Indians had lost the will to survive. With the extreme and quick loss of culture, accompanied by the pressure of Christian missionaries and laws preventing the practice of any form of native religion (if they did there were strong repercussions even death), the Indians were, by all means, slaves to the Spaniard immigrants." ("Spanish Conquest")

Along with the continous and countless murders carried out, forced enslavement and rape also formed part of the brutalities inflicted upon the Aztecs by the Spanish.

Hence, after 1519, the Aztecs were deprived foremost of their freedom, their right to practice their own religion, the right to live the way they had for so long and were minimized by their oppressor to the point where they found no escape. It was this imprisionment that brought the downfall and misery for the people of Mexico. The lack of freedom in all aspects was responsible for the loss of what had once been a grand civilization.

(Source:http://web.olivet.edu/history/pics/576px-Cortes_in_Veracruz.jpg)