Cortes and his forces regrouped in Tlaxcala after their defeat at Tenochtitlan. In May 1521, Cortes split his forces into three groups to besiege the city. Cortes cut off the city's food and water supply, making it easier for his forces to maneuver but faced increasing resistance from Mexica fortifications along the causeways. The arrival of Spanish brigantines provided temporary relief but the Mexica soon learned to disable the ships. By late June, Cortes' forces had captured religious and military sites in Tenochtitlan but the Mexica continued fighting desperately with dwindling resources.

1. The Final SiegePart IAdam Liske

2. After La NocheTriste (Night of Sorrows) and Cortes and his men flee from the central valley of Mexico to their safe heaven of Tlaxcala and into the safety of their allies. After months of regrouping and recovering from defeat Cortes and his men set out in Mid May of 1521 to finish conquering the Mexica and their allies. 1 Cortes and his soldiers split into three main attacking forces: those under the command of Cortes himself, four of Cortes’ best commanders took command of another force, and the third was to attack from the lake with the brigantines which they had built after being expelled from Technochtitlan. 2 and 3[i] Cortes 206

3. Cortes reenters the valley of MexicoCortes’ first action when entering the valley of Mexico was to cut off the food and water supply to the city of Technochtitlan. 4 Doing so allowed him and his men and allies to move much more freely and it greatly reduced the threat of massive attacks from the Mexica. 5At first Cortes and his forces along with their native allies from the surrounding lands had very little resistance from the Mexica, but as they continued to approach Technochtitlan and attempted to enter the city via the causeways it became every more difficult. 6 The mexica had built many fortifications and had removed many sections of the causeways leading into the city. 7 While at first the Spanish were able to attack and maneuver around the pits and barricades in the causeways each night the Spanish were forced to retreat and this allowed the Mexica to rebuild. This continued to hamper the Spanish ability from all fronts to enter the city until the brigantines arrive to aid in the combat. 8 and 9

4. Throughout late May and June of 1521 Cortes his men and allies met much resistance from the many counter attacks from the Mexica. 10 and 11 It was not until the brigantines the Spanish had built arrived on the seen that Cortes and his men received some relief from the endless attacks from the Mexica. But the usefulness of the brigantines was short lived and soon become a hindrance to the movement of the Spanish forces. Mexica and the Spanish shipsSoon after the arrival the Mexica learned how to cut off access of the ships to the area of the fighting, thus cutting off the one major advantage the Spanish had. 12 By driving stakes into the lake the Mexica managed to be able to disable many of the Spanish ships. 13 Also the Mexica gained expeiance in open water combat with the larger heavier armed Spanish ships and as a result in late June they succeed in disabling and capture the crew of two of the Spanish ships, this resulted in the Spanish forces having to rethink their method of attacks on the city.

5. Towards the end of June and into July the Spanish make repeated successful attacks to the heart of the city and capture key points of both religious and military importance. At this time the Mexica and the city of Technochtitlan are now completely cut off from the outside world and are unable to gain access to water and food which are desperately needed. The Spanish capitalize on this and push into the cities center and inter many important courtyards and temple areas and continue to batter the Mexica into further submission. But the Mexica still hold fast and continues to fight to the death and continue to hold key parts of the city and hold out against the Spanish siege. 14Cortes gains ground in Technochtitlan

6. References1 Diaz 3922 Diaz 3963 Cortes 2064 Diaz 3995Cotres 2096 Diaz 4007 Cortes 2178 Diaz 4039 Kings 30110 Diaz 40911 Spears 13312 Spears 13413 Diaz 41414 Diaz 420