In which century did Hernando Cortes conquer the Aztec Empire?

Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century, specifically between 1519 and 1521. This event is significant as it marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the Americas and the fall of one of the most powerful indigenous empires. The accomplishment of Cortes not only transformed the landscape of Mesoamerica but also had long-lasting effects on indigenous populations, culture, and European colonial interests.

The other centuries listed do not correspond with this historical event. The 14th and 15th centuries were earlier periods characterized by the pre-existing structures of the Aztec civilization, while the 17th century was after the conquest, during which the Spanish were solidifying their control and managing the territories they acquired. Thus, the 16th century is the right context for Hernando Cortes’s expedition and the subsequent conquest of the Aztec Empire.