8. What factor contributed to weakening the Aztecs further during the siege of Tenochtitlán? (1 point)
Oa. Lack of food supplies
O b. Smallpox epidemic
Oc. Internal political conflicts
d. Harsh climate conditions
b. Smallpox epidemic
The factor that contributed to weakening the Aztecs further during the siege of Tenochtitlán was b. Smallpox epidemic.
To determine the factor that contributed to weakening the Aztecs further during the siege of Tenochtitlán, we can analyze the given options:
Oa. Lack of food supplies: The fact that there was a siege on Tenochtitlán suggests that the Aztecs were already facing difficulties in acquiring food supplies. However, this option does not directly address a specific factor that further weakened them during the siege.
Ob. Smallpox epidemic: The introduction of smallpox to the native populations of the Americas by European invaders was devastating. This highly contagious disease caused widespread illness and death among the Aztecs, significantly weakening their population and ability to fight during the siege.
Oc. Internal political conflicts: Internal conflicts within the Aztec society could have potentially weakened them during the siege. However, without further information, it is difficult to determine if this factor was significant enough to greatly contribute to their downfall.
Od. Harsh climate conditions: While the climate conditions in the region could have posed challenges for the Aztecs, such as floods or droughts, it is unlikely that this factor played a major role in further weakening them during the siege.
Based on the options provided, the most significant factor that contributed to weakening the Aztecs further during the siege of Tenochtitlán was the smallpox epidemic (Option b).