When the Spanish began to occupy the West Indies during the 1490’s, the Aztec ruled much of what is now south-central Mexico. Their capital city, Tenochtitlán, had a population that some have estimated as being 250,000. But in 1521, when the last Aztec emperor surrendered to Hernán Cortés, this land came under the control of Spain.

The Aztec were sun worshipers, and they also worshiped natural forces such as rain and fire, to which they attributed the preservation of life. With the arrival of the Spaniards, there was a clash of cultures. Under Spanish rule, the Roman Catholic religion was imposed on the Indians by state decree. In time, the human sacrifices associated with their former worship ceased, but other beliefs and practices were merged with their new religion.

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Some aspects of Aztec religion were merged with the Catholic faith