Final answer:
The Spaniards, under Hernán Cortés, took Moctezuma II captive during their conquest of the Aztec Empire. This action was crucial in their eventual overthrow of Tenochtitlán, leading to the capture of the Aztec ruler and the foundation of Mexico City.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spaniards, led by Hernán Cortés, took Moctezuma II, the emperor of the Aztec Empire, captive. Moctezuma II, also known as Montezuma, was initially greeted warmly by Cortés when the Spaniards arrived in the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán. Cortés strategically took Moctezuma hostage to gain leverage over the city and to foment disunity among the indigenous groups, which was pivotal for the Spanish conquest. Despite being held hostage, Moctezuma remained a figure of reverence and authority, as seen in various historical records and engravings, including the work of seventeenth-century artist Jan Karel Donatus van Beecq, emphasizing the significance of his captivity in the Spanish conquest.
The imprisonment of Moctezuma marked a turning point in the Spanish-Aztec relations. It was followed by a rebellion in Tenochtitlán against the Spanish invaders. This culminated in Cortés and his forces retreating and later returning with native allies to lay siege to the city. In a tragic unfolding of events, not only was Moctezuma taken captive, but hundreds of high-ranking Mexica were also murdered during a festival, which fueled the eventual downfall of the Aztec Empire.
After the brutal siege and eventual conquest of Tenochtitlán by Cortés and his alliances with other native groups, the Aztec emperor Cuauhtemoc was captured. The city was razed, and upon its ruins, Mexico City was established, marking the end of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish colonization in the region.