Why were the Aztec and the Inca so easily defeated by smaller Spanish forces?

The Aztec and Inca empires were remarkably large and wealthy but suffered from internal divisions, political strife, and the impact of European diseases like smallpox, which decimated their populations before the Spanish arrived. Additionally, the Spanish exploited existing rivalries among Indigenous groups, forming alliances that bolstered their numbers against the empires. The superior military technology of the Spanish, including firearms and steel weapons, also played a crucial role in their victories despite being outnumbered. Lastly, the psychological impact of the Spanish tactics and the myth of their invincibility further contributed to the rapid defeats of these empires.