Causes of World War One Essay Example for Free

Causes of World War One Essay World War One was a turning point in history. Many scholars study this event and what caused this huge conflict. Germany used to be the sole one responsible for this war, but many controversial debates later, the blame was gradually put on the other great powers of Europe as well. In this essay, I will be analyzing the main causes of WWI, especially targeting the long-term causes. Most of these causes and events may be classified into 4 main themes: imperialism, the alliance system, militarism nationalism. Imperialism contributed greatly to the outbreak of WWI. Imperialism is when a country takes over other lands and subjects them to their rule to extend their power and influence. In the pre-WWI era, the great powers of Europe strove to expand their empires. Germany, who only became an united nation in 1871, desired a large empire like Britain’s, who at the time had an empire that stretched out over 5 continents and colonized about 1/3 of the world. However, Germany only had a few pieces of Africa. Soon, though, they decided they wanted more. In 1896, Admiral Muller said to Prince Henry of Germany, â€Å"either we harness the total strength of the nation ruthlessly, even if it means accepting the risk of a major war, or we limit ourselves to continental power alone.† This shows how much Germany would do for more land and power. It clearly shows they prioritized developing their empire over suppressing war if it arose. In 1897, Prince von Bulow of Germany said, â€Å"We don’t want to put anyone else in the shade but we too demand a place in the sun.† It is suggested that Germany wanted more of Africa and Asia. The fierce competition over lands caused incredible tension between the great powers. Each country wanted to dominate more lands to increase their trades and power. This can also be seen in the First Moroccan Crisis. France and Germany had begun to motion towards war over the colonization of Morocco. France, assisted by Britain and Russia, wanted to colonize Morocco, whilst Germany, who was weakly supported by Austria-Hungary wanted to annoy France and create strain in the Entente Cordiale’s friendship, as well as keep Morocco independent so it would be easier to conquer and keep trading with them. This shows how easily countries may begin to consider war and attack to take over new lands. Another event that shows clear intent of imperialism is the Bosnian Crisis in 1908, when Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia, tension grew so thick between Austria-Hungary and Serbia that with one tiny trigger, war would be a possible threat. Another main cause of WWI was militarism. Britain, who had the strongest navy at that time, felt threatened when Germany decided they wanted to build their navy power as well. The Anglo-German naval race of 1906-12 started when Kaiser William II of Germany released the Tirpitz Plan, which was a plan to increase Germany’s naval size. The British brought out the HMS Dreadnought, a deadly battleship, in 1906. Though Britain eventually won, it was clear Germany posed a serious threat. There was also an increase of armed forces which created the mood and atmosphere for war. By 1900, Russia had the biggest army of 1.1 million, though the number had decreased to 0.8 million by 1914. The armies of Germany and France had more than doubled from 1870, though England’s army had not increased much as they prioritized the naval race over building their army. With this attitude to building their military power, it was inevitable that these thoughts would eventually lead to putting the m to use. The alliance system also contributed greatly to the war. An alliance is when 2 or more countries form a type of ‘friendship’ where if one country is in trouble, the other/others would step in and help. The two main alliances were the Triple Entente, which consisted of France, Britain and Russia, and the Triple Alliance of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. The Triple Entente, formed in 1907, remained strong as ever even when Germany tried to sever their bonds in an argument with France over Morocco. Additionally, Russia and Germany signed unofficial secret ‘reassurance treaties’ though it was not renewed in 1890 when William II of Germany took over. This led Russia to search for a new ally. In the end, France and Russia formed an alliance in 1894. This was exactly what Germany had hoped to avoid as now they were sandwiched between the 2 countries, leaving them extremely vulnerable in the case of an attack. However, William II was young and felt no need to have Russia on their side. It should be taken into account that if there wasn’t an alliance system, WII might not have been a ‘world war’, just one between Austria-Hungary and Serbia after an immediate cause- the trigger event of the assassination of the heir of the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Bosnia on 28th, June 1914. The assassination of the Archduke was committed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. He was part of the ‘Black Hand’, a secret Serbian nationalist society. This links to nationalism as the Serbs were tired of being ruled by the Austro-Hungarians, and in return, murdered Austro-Hungary’s heir. This shows how much they were wiling to do to make their point. This also links back to the alliance system. France, bound by treaty to Russia, found themselves at war against Germany, and by extension, war against Austria Hungary. Meanwhile, Britain who was allied to France, declared war on Germany. Once again, it should be mentioned that if it were not for the alliance system, perhaps not as many countries would’ve been involved in the war.

The Three Branches of the U.S. Federal Government Essay -- United Stat

The Three Branches of the Federal Government There are three branches of the federal government, the executive, the judicial, and the legislative. The executive branch consists of such people as the president, the cabinet, and the executive offices of the president. The executive branch is known for enforcing laws created by the legislative branch. The judicial branch entails the United States Supreme Court and the Federal Judiciary. The judicial branch must review the laws the executive branch is to enforce. There is also the legislative branch. This branch contains the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and the Library of Congress. Laws are created through the legislative branch. The basic idea between the creation of the three branches is based upon â€Å"checks and balances.† No branch should become so powerful that it over-takes either of the other branches. This also brings out the point that neither one of these branches, nor any person holding office in one of them, can exercise power belonging to either of the others. The legislative branch creates the laws, the judicial branch reviews the law, and then the executive branch enforces the laws. All three branches are interrelated, each branch overlaps but serves separate purposes. The main powers of the executive branch rest with the President of the United States of America. Powers granted to him by the constitution include serving as commander in chief of the armed forces; negotiating treaties; appointing federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet officials; and acting as head of state. The president also has a cabinet which includes officials such as the attorney general and the secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Interior, Agricu... ...ve. The legislative branch deals with the people, not directly, but in similar terms. The judicial branch could be considered the most democratic because the judicial branch is set-up to protect the people and their rights. While the legislative branch speaks for the people, the judicial branch protects the people. The executive branch does a combination of both the judicial branch and the legislative branch; however, it doesn’t focus solely on one power or the other. The executive branch works for the people, at the same time protecting the people. The executive branch has the power to veto bills and laws passed by the Congress, and the executive branch sees the laws through. All the branches, however democratic, are set-up for the people and to carry out the public’s will. If any of the branches were unable to do so, the system would not have survived 200 years.

A Family Supper by Kazuo Ishiguro Essay

Theme: is the conflict between generations in changing Japan. Meaning †¨the ways of past generations are giving way to new values that have not been fully developed in the younger generations. One exanple of this being that suicide, carried out in the face of defeat have now lost of its meaning and honor in younger generations. His mom is the ghost The fugu fish and the story of Mr. Watanabe and his family are subtle hints about the end of the story, foreshadowing. Are you moving to California THEME Symbols: Fish, mom, ghost Fugu is a fish caught off the Pacific shores of Japan. The fish has held a special significance for me ever since my mother died after eating one. The poison resides in the sex glands of the fish, inside two fragile bags. These bags must be removed with caution when preparing the fish, for any clumsiness will result in the poison leaking into the veins. Regrettably, it is not easy to tell whether or not this operation has been carried out successfully. The proof is, as it were, in the eating. Fugu poisoning is hideously painful and almost always fatal. If the fish has been eaten during the evening, the victim is usually overtaken by pain during his sleep. He rolls about in agony for a few hours and is dead by morning. The fish became extremely popular in Japan after the war. Until stricter regulations were imposed, it was all the rage to perform the hazardous gutting operation in one’s own kitchen, then to invite neighbors and friends round for the feast. At the time of my mother’s death, I was living in California. My relationship with my parents had become somewhat strained around that period and consequently I did not learn of the circumstances of her death until I returned to Tokyo two years later. Apparently, my mother had always refused to eat fugu, but on this particular occasion she had made an exception, having been invited by an old school friend whom she was anxious not to offend. It was my father who supplied me with the details as we drove from the airport to his house in the Kamakura district. When we finally arrived, it was nearing the end of a sunny autumn day. â€Å"Did you eat on the plane?† my father asked. We were sitting on the tatami floor of his tearoom. â€Å"They gave me a light snack.† â€Å"You must be hungry. We’ll eat as soon as Kikuko arrives.† My father was a formidable-looking man with a large stony jaw and furious black eyebrows. I think now, in retrospect, that he much resembled Chou En-lai, although he would not have cherished such a comparison, being particularly proud of the pure samurai blood that ran in the family. His general presence was not one that encouraged relaxed conversation; neither were things helped much by his odd way of stating each remark as if it were the concluding one. In fact, as I sat opposite him that afternoon, a boyhood memory came back to me of the time he had struck me several times around the head for â€Å"chattering like an old woman.† Inevitably, our conversation since my arrival at the airport had been punctuated by long pauses. â€Å"I’m sorry to hear about the firm,† I said when neither of us had spoken for some time. He nodded gravely. v â€Å"I see.† â€Å"We were partners for seventeen years. A man of principle and honor. I respected him very much.† â€Å"Will you go into business again?† I asked. â€Å"I am. . .in retirement. I’m too old to involve myself in new ventures now. Business these days has become so different. Dealing with foreigners. Doing things their way. I don’t understand how we’ve come to this. Neither did Watanabe.† He sighed. â€Å"A fine man. A man of principle.† The tearoom looked out over the garden. From where I sat I could make out the ancient well that as a child I had believed to be haunted. It was just visible now through the thick foliage. The sun had sunk low and much of the garden had fallen into shadow. â€Å"I’m glad in any case that you’ve decided to come back,† my father said. â€Å"More than a short visit, I hope.† â€Å"I’m not sure what my plans will be.† â€Å"I, for one, am prepared to forget the past. Your mother, too, was always ready to welcome you back– upset as she was by your behavior.† â€Å"I appreciate your sympathy. As I say, I’m not sure what my plans are.† â€Å"I’ve come to believe now that there were no evil intentions in your mind,† my father continued. â€Å"You were swayed by certain†¦influences. Like so many others.† â€Å"Perhaps we should forget it, as you suggest.† â€Å"As you will. More tea?† Just then a girl’s voice came echoing through the house. â€Å"At last.† My father rose to his feet. â€Å"Kikuko has arrived.† Despite our difference in years, my sister and I had always been close. Seeing me again seemed to make her excessively excited, and for a while she did nothing but giggle nervously. But she calmed down somewhat when my father started to question her about Osaka and her university. She answered him with short, formal replies. She in turn asked me a few questions, but she seemed inhibited by the fear that the questions might lead to awkward topics. After a while, the conversation had become even sparser than prior to Kikuko’s arrival. Then my father stood up, saying: â€Å"I must attend to the supper. Please excuse me for being burdened by such matters. Kikuko will look after you.† My sister relaxed quite visibly once he had left the room. Within a few minutes, she was chatting freely about her friends in Osaka and about her classes at university. Then quite suddenly she decided we should walk in the garden and went striding out onto the veranda. We put on some straw sandals that had been left along the veranda rail and stepped out into the garden. The light in the garden had grown very dim. â€Å"I’ve been dying for a smoke for the last half hour,† she said, lighting a cigarette. â€Å"Then why didn’t you smoke?† She made a furtive gesture back toward the house, then grinned mischievously. â€Å"Oh, I see,† I said. â€Å"Guess what, I’ve got a boyfriend now.† â€Å"Oh, yes?† â€Å"Except I’m wondering what to do. I haven’t made up my mind yet.† â€Å"Quite understandable.† â€Å"You see, he’s making plans to go to America. He wants me to go with him as soon as I finish studying.† â€Å"I see. And you want to go to America?† â€Å"If we go, we’re going to hitchhike.† Kikuko waved a thumb in front of my face. â€Å"People say it’s dangerous, but I’ve done it in Osaka and it’s fine.† â€Å"I see. So what is it you’re unsure about?† We were following a narrow path that wond through the shrubs and finished by the old well. As we walked, Kikuko persisted in taking unnecessarily theatrical puffs on her cigarette. â€Å"Well, I’ve got a lot of friends in Osaka. I like it there. I’m not sure I want to leave them all behind just yet. And Suichi†¦I like him, but â€Å"I’m not sure I want to spend so much time with him. Do you understand?† â€Å"Oh, perfectly.† She grinned again, then skipped on ahead of me until she had reached the well. â€Å"Do you remember,† she said as I came walking up to her, â€Å"how you used to say this well was haunted?† â€Å"Yes, I remember.† We both peered over the side. â€Å"Mother always told me it was the old woman from the vegetable store you’d seen that night,† she said. â€Å"But I never believe her and never came out here alone.† â€Å"Mother used to tell me that too. She even told me once the old woman had confessed to being the ghost. Apparently, she’d been taking a shortcut through our garden. I imagine she had some trouble clambering over these walls.† Kikuko gave a giggle. She then turned her back to the well, casting her gaze about the garden. â€Å"Mother never really blamed you, you know,† she said, in a new voice. I remained silent. â€Å"She always used to say to me how it was their fault, her’s and Father’s, for not bringing you up correctly. She used to tell me how much more careful they’d been with me, and that’s why I was so good.† She looked up and the mischievous grin had returned to her face. â€Å"Poor Mother,† she said. â€Å"Yes. Poor Moth er.† â€Å"Are you going back to California?† â€Å"I don’t know. I’ll have to see.† â€Å"What happened to†¦to her? To Vicki?† â€Å"That’s all finished with,† I said. â€Å"There’s nothing much left for me now in California.† â€Å"Do you think I ought to go there?† â€Å"Why not? I don’t know. You’ll probably like it.† I glanced toward the house. â€Å"Perhaps we’d better go in soon. Father might need a hand with the supper.† But my sister was once more peering down into the well. â€Å"I can’t see any ghosts,† she said. Her voice echoed a little. â€Å"Is Father very upset about his firm collapsing?† â€Å"Don’t know. You never can tell with Father.† Then suddenly she straightened up and turned to me. â€Å"Did he tell you about old Watanabe? What he did?† â€Å"I heard he committed suicide.† â€Å"Well, that wasn’t all. He took his whole family with him. His wife and his two little girls.† â€Å"Oh, yes?† â€Å"Those beautiful little girls. He turned on the gas while they were all asleep. Then he cut his stomach with a meat knife.† â€Å"Yes, Father was just telling me how Watanabe was a man of principle.† â€Å"Sick.† My sister turned back to the well. â€Å"I can’t see any ghost,† she said. â€Å"You were lying to me all that time.† ]†But I never said it lived down the well.† â€Å"Where is it then?† We both looked around at the trees and shrubs. The daylight had almost gone. Eventually I pointed to a small clearing some ten yards away. â€Å"Just there I saw it. Just there.† We stared at the spot. â€Å"What did it look like?† â€Å"I couldn’t see very well. It was dark.† â€Å"But you must have seen something.† â€Å"It was an old woman. She was just standing there, watching me.† We kept staring at the spot as if mesmerized. â€Å"She was wearing a white kimono,† I said. â€Å"Some of her hair had come undone. It was blowing around a little.† Kikuko pushed her elbow against my arm. â€Å"Oh, be quiet. You’re trying to frighten me all over again.† She trod on the remains of her cigarette, then for a brief moment stood regarding it with a perplexed expression. She kicked some pine needles over it, then once more displayed her grin. â€Å"Let’s see if supper’s ready,† she said. We found my father in the kitchen. He gave us a quick glance, then carried on with what he was doing. â€Å"Father’s become quite a chef since he’s had to manage on his own,† Kikuko said with a laugh. He turned and looked at my sister coldly. â€Å"Hardly a skill I’m proud of,† he said. â€Å"Kikuko, come here and help.† For some moments my sister did not move then she stepped forward and took an apron hanging from a drawer. â€Å"Just these vegetables need cooking now,† he said to her. â€Å"The rest just needs watching.† Then he looked up and regarded me strangely for some seconds. â€Å"I expect you want to look around the house,† he said eventually. He put down the chopsticks he had been holding. â€Å"It’s a long time since you’ve seen it.† As we left the kitchen I glanced toward Kikuko, but her back was turned. â€Å"She’s a good girl,† my father said. I followed my father from room to room. I had forgotten how large the house was. A panel would slide open and another room would appear. But the rooms were all startlingly empty. In one of the rooms the lights did not come on, and we stared at the stark walls and tatami in the pale light that came from the windows. â€Å"This house is too large for a man to live in alone,† my father said. â€Å"I don’t have much use for most of these rooms now.† But eventually my father opened the door to a room packed full of books and papers. There were flowers in vases and pictures on the walls. Then I noticed something on a low table in the corner of the room. I came nearer and saw it was a plastic model of a battleship, the kind constructed by children. It had been placed on some newspaper; scattered around it were assorted pieces of gray plastic. My father gave a laugh. He came up to the table and picked up the model. â€Å"Since the firm folded,† he said, â€Å"I have a little more time on my hands.† He laughed again, rather strangely. For a moment his face looked almost gentle. â€Å"A little more time.† â€Å"That seems odd,† I said. â€Å"You were always so busy.† â€Å"Too busy, perhaps.† He looked at me with a smile. â€Å"Perhaps I should have been a more attentive father.† I laughed. He went on contemplating his battleship. Then he looked up. â€Å"I hadn’t meant to tell you this, but perhaps it’s best that I do. It’s my belief that your mother’s death was no accident. She had many worries. And some disappointments.† We both gazed at the plastic battleship. â€Å"Surely,† I said eventually, â€Å"my mother didn’t expect me to live here forever.† â€Å"Obviously you don’t see. You don’t see how it is for some parents. Not only must they lose their children, they must lose them to things they don’t understand.† He spun the battleship in his fingers. â€Å"These little gunboats here could have been better glued, don’t you think?† â€Å"Perhaps. I think it looks fine.† â€Å"During the war I spent some time on a ship rather like this: if your ship was struck by the enemy, all you could do was struggle in the water hoping for a lifeline. But in an airplane– well, there was always the final weapon.† He put the model back onto the table. â€Å"I don’t suppose you believe in war.† â€Å"Not particularly.† He cast an eye around the room. â€Å"Supper should be ready by now,† he said. â€Å"You must be hungry.† Supper was waiting in a dimly lit room next to the kitchen. The only source of light was a big lantern that hung over the table, casting the rest of the room in shadow. We bowed to each other before starting the meal. There was little conversation. When I made some polite comment about the food, Kikuko giggled a little. Her earlier nervousness seemed to have returned to her. My father did not speak for several minutes. Finally he said: â€Å"It must feel strange for you, being back in Japan.† â€Å"Yes, it is a little strange.† â€Å"Already, perhaps, you regret leaving America.† â€Å"A little. Not so much. I didn’t leave behind much. Just some empty rooms.† â€Å"I see.† I glanced across the table. My father’s face looked stony and forbidding in the half-light. We ate in silence. Then my eye caught something at the back of the room. At first I continued eating, then my hands became still. The others noticed and looked at me. I went on gazing into the darkness past my father’s shoulder. â€Å"Who is that? In the photograph there?† â€Å"Which photograph?† My father turned slightly, trying to follow my gaze. â€Å"The lowest one. The old woman in the white kimono.† My father put down his chopsticks. He looked first at the photograph, then at me. â€Å"Your mother.† His voice had become very hard. â€Å"Can’t you recognize your own mother?† â€Å"My mother. You see, it’s dark. I can’t see it very well.† No one spoke for a few seconds, then Kikuko rose to her feet. She took the photograph down from the wall, came back to the table, and gave it to me. â€Å"She looks a lot older,† I said. â€Å"It was taken shortly before her death,† said my father. â€Å"It was the dark. I couldn’t see very well.† I looked up and noticed my father holding out a hand. I gave him the photograph. He looked at it intently, then held it toward Kikuko. Obediently, my sister rose to her feet once more and returned the picture to the wall. There was a large pot left unopened at the center of the table. When Kikuko had seated herself again, my father reached forward and lifted the lid. A cloud of steam rose up and curled toward the lantern. He pushed the pot a little toward me. â€Å"You must be hungry,† he said. One side of his face had fallen into shadow. â€Å"Thank you.† I reached forward my chopsticks. The steam was almost scalding. â€Å"What is it?† â€Å"Fish.† â€Å"It smells very good.† In the soup were strips of fish that had curled almost into balls. I picked one out and brought it to my bowl. â€Å"Help yourself. There’s plenty.† â€Å"Thank you.† I took a little more, then pushed the pot toward my father. I watched him take several pieces to his bowl. Then we both watched as Kikuko served herself. My father bowed slightly. â€Å"You must be hungry,† he said again. He took some fish to his mouth and started to eat. Then I, too, chose a piece and put it in my mouth. It felt soft, quite fleshy against my tongue. The three of us ate in silence. Several minutes went by. My father lifted the lid and once more steam rose up. We all reached forward and helped ourselves. â€Å"Here,† I said to my father, â€Å"you have the last piece.† â€Å"Thank you.† When we had finished the meal, my father stretched out his arms and yawned with an air of satisfaction. â€Å"Kikuko,† he said, â€Å"prepare a pot of tea, please.† My sister looked at him, and left the room without comment. My father stood up. â€Å"Let’s retire to the other room. It’s rather warm in here.† I got to my feet and followed him into the tearoom. The large sliding windows had been left open, bringing in a breeze from the garden. For a while we sat in silence. â€Å"Father,† I said, finally. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Kikuko tells me Watanabe-san took his whole family with him.† My father lowered his eyes and nodded. For some moments he seemed deep in thought. â€Å"Watanabe was very devoted to his work,† he said at last. â€Å"The collapse of the firm was a great blow to him. I fear it must have weakened his judgment.† â€Å"You think what he did†¦it was a mistake?† â€Å"Why, of course. Do you see it otherwise?† â€Å"No, no. Of course not.† â€Å"There are other things besides work,† my father said. â€Å"Yes.† We fell silent again; the sound of locusts came in from the garden. I looked out into the darkness. The well was no longer visible. â€Å"What do you think you will do now?† my father asked. â€Å"Will you stay in Japan for a while?† â€Å"To be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.† â€Å"If you wish to stay here, I mean here in this house, you would be very welcome; that is, if you don’t mind living with an old man.† â€Å"Thank you. I’ll have to think about it.† I gazed out once more into the darkness. â€Å"But of course,† said my father, â€Å"this house is so dreary now. You’ll no doubt return to America before long.† â€Å"Perhaps. I don’t know yet.† â€Å"No doubt you will.† For some time my father seemed to be studying the back of his hands. Then he looked up and sighed. â€Å"Kikuko is due to complete her studies next spring,† he said. â€Å"Perhaps she will want to come home then. She’s a good girl.† â€Å"Perhaps she will.† â€Å"Things will improve then.† â€Å"Yes, I’m sure they will.† We fell silent once more, waiting for Kikuko to bring the tea.

Timeline of Hernan Cortes Conquest of the Aztecs

1492: Christopher Columbus Discovers the New World for Europe. 1502: Christopher Columbus, on his Fourth New World Voyage, meets with some advanced traders: they were likely Mayan vassals of the Aztecs. 1517: Francisco Hernà ¡ndez de Cà ³rdoba expedition: three ships explore the Yucatan. Many Spanish are killed in skirmishes with the natives, including Hernandez. 1518 Jan. - Oct.: The Juan de Grijalva Expedition explores the Yucatan and southern part of Mexicos Gulf Coast. Some of those who took part, including Bernal Diaz del Castillo and Pedro de Alvarado, would later Join Cortes expedition. November 18: Hernan Cortes Expedition sets out from Cuba. 1519 March 24: Cortes and his men fight the Maya of Potonchan. After winning the battle, the Lord of Potonchan would give Cortes gifts, including a slave girl Malinali, who would go on to be better known as Malinche, Cortes invaluable interpreter and mistress. April 21: Cortes Expedition reaches San Juan de Ulua. June 3: Spanish visit Cempoala and found settlement of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. July 26: Cortes sends a ship with treasure and letters to Spain. August 23: Cortes treasure ship stops in Cuba and rumors start to spread of the wealth discovered in Mexico. September 2-20: Spanish enter Tlaxcalan territory and battle the fierce Tlaxcalans and their allies. September 23: Cortes and his men, victorious, enter Tlaxcala and make important alliances with the leaders. October 14: Spanish enter Cholula. October 25? (exact date unknown) Cholula Massacre: Spanish and Tlaxcalans fall on unarmed Cholulans in one of the city squares when Cortes learns of an ambush awaiting them outside the city. November 1: Cortes expedition leaves Cholula. November 8: Cortes and his men enter Tenochtitlan. November 14: Montezuma arrested and placed under guard by the Spanish. 1520 March 5: Governor Velazquez of Cuba sends Panfilo de Narvaez to rein in Cortes and regain control of the expedition. May: Cortes leaves Tenochtitlan to deal with Narvaez. May 20: Pedro de Alvarado orders the massacre of thousands of Aztec nobles at the Festival of Toxcatl. May 28-29: Cortes defeats Narvaez at the Battle of Cempoala and adds his men and supplies to his own. June 24: Cortes returns to find Tenochtitlan in a state of uproar. June 29: Montezuma is injured while pleading with his people for calm: he will die shortly from his wounds. June 30: the Night of Sorrows. Cortes and his men try to creep out of the city under cover of darkness but are discovered and attacked. Most of the treasure collected thus far is lost. July 7: Conquistadors score a narrow victory at the Battle of Otumba. July 11: Conquistadors reach Tlaxcala where they can rest and regroup. September 15: Cuitlahuac officially becomes the Tenth Tlatoani of the Mexica. October: Smallpox sweeps the land, claiming thousands of lives in Mexico, including Cuitlahuac. December 28: Cortes, his plans in place for the reconquest of Tenochtitlan, leaves Tlaxcala. 1521 February: Cuauhtemoc becomes eleventh Tlatoani of the Mexica. April 28: Brigantines launched in Lake Texcoco. May 22: Siege of Tenochtitlan formally begins: Causeways blockaded as the brigantines attack from the water. August 13: Cuauhtemoc is captured while fleeing Tenochtitlan. This effectively ends the resistance of the Aztec Empire. Sources Diaz del Castillo, Bernal. Trans., ed. J.M. Cohen. 1576. London, Penguin Books, 1963. Print.Levy, Buddy. New York: Bantam, 2008.Thomas, Hugh. New York: Touchstone, 1993.