Who defeated the Aztec?Juan Ponce de LeonHernan CortesFrancisco PizarroHernando de Soto

The correct answer is Hernan Cortes. He was the Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521. Through a combination of military prowess, strategic alliances with local tribes, and the introduction of European diseases that devastated the indigenous population, Cortes was able to defeat the Aztecs and claim Mexico for Spain.

Here's a brief outline of the context:

1. Background of the Aztecs: The Aztec Empire was one of the most powerful and sophisticated civilizations in the Americas before the arrival of Spanish explorers.

2. Cortes’s Expedition: Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1519. He formed alliances with various indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs.

3. Key Events: The capture of the Aztec leader Moctezuma II, the siege of Tenochtitlan, and the eventual downfall of the city led to the end of the Aztec Empire.

4. Aftermath: Following their defeat, Cortes and the Spanish established control over vast portions of the territory, leading to the Spanish colonization of Mexico.

Thus, among the options you provided, Hernan Cortes is recognized as the one who defeated the Aztecs.