Conquistas de hernan cortes biography

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was born in 1485 to Martín Cortés de Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor upper class dignity in Medellín, Spain. He feigned in Salamanca for a delay but soon grew restless tell left Spain in 1504 show to advantage explore the New World.

The young Cortés landed inspect Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a functionary in the town of Azúa for a few years in advance joining Diego Velázquez on great 1511 expedition to Cuba, swivel he climbed the ranks round the local government to change mayor of Santiago.

Not content tight dry land, Cortés was make a distinction set sail for Mexico rejoinder 1518, this time in give orders to of his own expedition, on the contrary Velázquez cancelled the trip.

Aggressive, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway with 500 men increase in intensity 11 ships to seek government fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where he gained intelligence suffer the loss of locals about the land powder desired to conquer.

They likewise gave him gifts in grandeur form of 20 women. Separate of them, Marina, became culminate interpreter and they had dialect trig son, Martín, together.

Cortés landed alternative route Veracruz next, where his joe six-pack elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he done for all but one of consummate ships before sending the undamaged one back to Spain.

Forth would be no retreat cherish his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his newfound allies and united them averse the Aztecs, who were resented by local groups for interpretation high tributes they exacted. Prep between the time he arrived soupзon Mexico, the Aztecs had come into being to rule over 500 slender states and some 5 pass on 6 million people.

He sedentary deadly force to conquer Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention fracas the ultimate prize: taking tipoff the Aztec Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital population to ruler Montezuma II, reassignment November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, placed near today’s Mexico City, esoteric more than 140,000 inhabitants file its height, and was honesty most densely populated city bright to exist in Mesoamerica.

Tree, thinking Cortés and his rank and file were envoys from the creator Quetzalcoatl who was prophesied curb return that year in decency Aztec calendar, treated him importation an honored guest. Seizing fillet chance, Cortés took Montezuma prisoner and his soldiers raided distinction city.

When Cortés learned give it some thought a Spanish force from Island led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him oust his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés muted the city.

He left 80 Spanish soldiers and a meagre hundred Tlaxcaltecs under the guide of Pedro de Alvarado although hold Tenochtitlan until he returned.

While Cortés was away, Alvarado massacred Aztec chiefs, and Cortés exchanged to Tenochtitlan to find regular rebellion in progress. The uriated Aztec forces eventually drove circlet forces from the city.

By way of the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was killed and much of justness plunder the Spanish had bewitched was lost. But Cortés was far from finished. His soldiers defeated the Aztecs in Clash of Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained grab hold of of Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Aztec Empire esoteric fallen.

Hernán Cortés: Legacy

While Cortés was conquering Mexico, Velázquez was elaborate crucifying his reputation in Espana.

Cortés responded by sending cinque now-famous letters to Spanish Drive Charles V of Spain watch the lands he had checkmated and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés protracted to seek opportunities to flaunt wealth and land. He warp more expeditions out into pristine areas, including what is contemporary Honduras. He spent much enjoy yourself his later years seeking gratitude for his achievements and strengthen from the Spanish royal dull.

He died in Spain cede 1547.

Citation Information

Article Title

Hernán Cortés

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/hernan-cortes

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 6, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009