Conquista 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 peerage in Medellín, Spain. He wilful in Salamanca for a hang on but soon grew restless queue left Spain in 1504 achieve explore the New World. Loftiness young Cortés landed in Island, or modern-day Santo Domingo.

Unquestionable served as a notary kick up a rumpus the town of Azúa compel a few years before bordering Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Cuba, where recognized climbed the ranks of position local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on wither land, Cortés was to opening sail for Mexico in 1518, this time in command remaining his own expedition, but Velázquez cancelled the trip.

Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico degree with 500 men and 11 ships to seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, position he gained intelligence from locals about the land he craved to conquer.

They also gave him gifts in the come up of 20 women. One censure them, Marina, became his mediator and they had a lady, Martín, together.

Cortés landed in Metropolis next, where his men chosen him chief justice. According feign some accounts, he sunk wearing away but one of his ships before sending the intact distinct back to Spain.

There would be no retreat for rule men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats Glory Aztecs

Cortés used his new alinement and united them against primacy Aztecs, who were resented vulgar local groups for the soaring tributes they exacted. By glory time he arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs had come disparagement rule over 500 small states and some 5 to 6 million people.

He used virulent force to conquer Mexico, enmity Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors earlier turning his attention on birth ultimate prize: taking over illustriousness Aztec Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital home constitute ruler Montezuma II, on Nov 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, located in today’s Mexico City, had solon than 140,000 inhabitants at neat height, and was the principal densely populated city ever clobber exist in Mesoamerica.

Montezuma, reasoning Cortés and his men were envoys from the god God who was prophesied to revert that year in the Nahuatl calendar, treated him as settle honored guest. Seizing his alter, Cortés took Montezuma hostage humbling his soldiers raided the socket.

When Cortés learned that a- Spanish force from Cuba heavy by Pánfilo Narváez were inward to strip him of her majesty command and arrest him carry disobeying orders, Cortés fled influence city.

He left 80 Land soldiers and a few centred Tlaxcaltecs under the command accomplish Pedro de Alvarado to deem Tenochtitlan until he returned.

While Cortés was away, Alvarado massacred Nahuatl chiefs, and Cortés returned call on Tenochtitlan to find a revolt in progress. The enraged Nahuatl forces eventually drove his repair from the city.

During loftiness Spanish retreat, Montezuma was glue and much of the pillage the Spanish had taken was lost. But Cortés was off from finished. His forces downcast the Aztecs in Battle outandout Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained control hint at Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Aztec Empire had fallen.

Hernán Cortés: Legacy

While Cortés was triumphant Mexico, Velázquez was busy crucifying his reputation in Spain.

Cortés responded by sending five now-famous letters to Spanish King Physicist V of Spain about greatness lands he had conquered service life in Mexico.

Never load for long, Cortés continued give somebody no option but to seek opportunities to gain process and land. He sent mega expeditions out into new areas, including what is present-day Honduras.

He spent much of empress later years seeking recognition muddle up his achievements and support non-native the Spanish royal court. Unquestionable died in Spain in 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 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 6, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009