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HOLE 1 - Moctezuma Xocoyotzin (1466-1520) One of the last Aztec emperors, he ruled
at the time of the arrival of the Spanish, which signaled the end of the empire and the be-
ginning of the new World. During his reign, the Aztec Empire reached its greatest power,
stretching from what is now Mexico City to the State of Chiapas. His handling of the initial
clash with the Spanish invadors has been the source of endless debate. Yet, he is honored
as one of Mexico’s Heroes.
HOLE 2- Hernán Cortés (1485-1547) was born in Medellín, Spain. He first set sail to the
New World at the age of 19. Cortés later joined an expedition to Cuba. In 1518, he set off
to explore Mexico. That year Cortés commanded his own expedition to Mexico, setting sail
with more than 500 men and 11 ships. He marched to Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital and
home to ruler Montezuma II, taking him captive. Is he a controversial figure in Mexico? Yes,
but Cortes’ objective was inevitable, sooner or later the conquest was going to happen.
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