Moctezuma's blood was on Cortés' hands

Montezuma, the Aztec Empire's ninth ruler, was unconcerned by the report he had just received. His spies had been informing him of the Spanish's activities and expeditions for several years. Now, in 1519, he received word of another group of foreign men entering the eastern borders of his central Mexican empire from the Yucatan Peninsula. Montezuma lived in the capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City, some distance from the coast. Montezuma, a strong ruler who aggressively expanded the Aztec Empire to its zenith, weighed his options regarding this new expedition before deciding whether or not to welcome its leader, Hernán Cortés.

With their emperor imprisoned by Cortés, the Aztec nobles became restless and enraged at the Spaniards' undue influence. During Cortés' absence from the city, the opposition elected a new leader. During his absence, the Spaniards in charge also disrupted a traditional Aztec festival, killing nobles and inciting a riot. Upon his return, Cortés attempted to regain control of the Aztec people by ordering Moctezuma to address the crowd gathered around the palace. During his speech, Moctezuma was booed and pelted with stones, resulting in serious injuries.

Moctezuma died a few days later. The cause of his death is unknown. Historians continue to speculate based on historical accounts and illustrations from colonial times. Some believe he died as a result of stone injuries. Others have speculated that Cortés may have ordered his death once it became clear that he no longer ruled over the Aztecs. Whether he had him killed or not, Corté's actions resulted in Moctezuma's death.