The Conquest of Mexico

Mexican Ruins and Spanish Architecture in Mexico CityBy Nancy Fitch
California State University, Fullerton

This photograph testifies to the catastrophic change that transformed ancient Mexico after 1521.  A once great civilization, the Mexica Empire was left in ruins when the Spaniards razed Tenochtitlan to replace it with a Spanish capital, Mexico City.  Historians still cannot agree on why this impressive civilization fell so quickly.  This project is an experiment in using hypermedia to construct a virtual learning environment in which students can use primary sources to come to their own conclusions about why the Mexicas fell, while learning the process by which historians produce the history they find in their textbooks.

Contents

Biography

Reflective Essay

Abstract

For Teachers

For Students

Maps

Timeline

Narrative Overviews

Contrast and Comparison Exercises

Image Exercises

Primary Sources