Aztec Triple Alliance

The Aztec Triple Alliance, also known as the Aztec Empire, was a former Mesoamerican empire and an alliance of three Nahua city-states: Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan. Formed in 1428 from victorious factions of a civil war, it controlled much of central Mexico. Although initially conceived as an alliance of self-governed city-states, its capital, Tenochtitlan, became militarily dominant. The alliance waged wars of conquest, expanding its territory and maintaining control through a hegemonic system where conquered cities paid tribute and supplied military forces. The Aztec Triple Alliance was dissolved on August 13, 1521, when it was defeated by Spanish conquistadores and their native allies.