Arrange the events in the correct order.

Arrange the events in the correct order.

Tiles Moctezuma II welcomed the Spanish, thinking that Cortés was the human incarnation of the god Quetzalcoatl.

Cortés and his men brought smallpox to the city of Tenochtitlan, killing many Aztec.

Cortés established alliances with enemies of the Aztec such as the Tlaxcalans.

Cortés marched up the coast of Mexico and conquered the territory of Veracruz.

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

To arrange the events in chronological order regarding the encounters between Moctezuma II and Hernán Cortés, we can outline them as follows:

1. Cortés marched up the coast of Mexico and conquered the territory of Veracruz.
2. Cortés established alliances with enemies of the Aztec such as the Tlaxcalans.
3. Moctezuma II welcomed the Spanish, thinking that Cortés was the human incarnation of the god Quetzalcoatl.
4. Cortés and his men brought smallpox to the city of Tenochtitlan, killing many Aztec.

Explanation

1. Cortés marched up the coast of Mexico and conquered the territory of Veracruz: Hernán Cortés began his expedition in 1519 by landing on the coast of Mexico at Veracruz. This strategic move allowed him to establish a base of operations from which he could launch further incursions into the interior of the country.
2. Cortés established alliances with enemies of the Aztec such as the Tlaxcalans: After securing Veracruz, Cortés sought alliances with local tribes who were adversaries of the Aztec Empire, most notably the Tlaxcalans. These alliances were crucial, as they provided Cortés with additional warriors and resources that significantly bolstered his forces against the Aztecs.
3. Moctezuma II welcomed the Spanish, thinking that Cortés was the human incarnation of the god Quetzalcoatl: As Cortés and his men approached the capital city of Tenochtitlan, they were greeted by Moctezuma II, who believed that Cortés was the return of the god Quetzalcoatl, prophesied to arrive from the east. This misunderstanding was pivotal, as it led to the initial hospitality that the Spaniards received in the Aztec capital.
4. Cortés and his men brought smallpox to the city of Tenochtitlan, killing many Aztec: Following their arrival, the Spanish inadvertently introduced smallpox, a disease to which the indigenous populations had no immunity. This epidemic devastated the Aztec population, weakening their society and contributing to the eventual fall of the Aztec Empire.

This sequence of events highlights the strategic planning of Cortés and the significant consequences of European contact on the indigenous populations.