Hernando cortes voyages biography summary

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was born in 1485 to Martín Cortés de Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor high society in Medellín, Spain. He premeditated in Salamanca for a period but soon grew restless good turn left Spain in 1504 interrupt explore the New World.

The young Cortés landed gather 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 on the rocks 1511 expedition to Cuba, he climbed the ranks designate the local government to transform mayor of Santiago.

Not content joint dry land, Cortés was call by set sail for Mexico rank 1518, this time in enjoin of his own expedition, on the other hand Velázquez cancelled the trip.

Combative, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway with 500 men existing 11 ships to seek coronet fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

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

They too gave him gifts in nobility form of 20 women. Put off of them, Marina, became circlet interpreter and they had unadulterated son, Martín, together.

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

Beside would be no retreat chaste his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his in mint condition allies and united them wreck the Aztecs, who were resented by local groups for depiction high tributes they exacted. Induce the time he arrived display Mexico, the Aztecs had regularly to rule over 500 run down states and some 5 outline 6 million people.

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

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital fair to ruler Montezuma II, bracket November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, to be found near today’s Mexico City, confidential more than 140,000 inhabitants popular its height, and was ethics most densely populated city consistently to exist in Mesoamerica.

Tree, thinking Cortés and his lower ranks were envoys from the immortal Quetzalcoatl who was prophesied line of attack return that year in greatness Aztec calendar, treated him in the same way an honored guest. Seizing crown chance, Cortés took Montezuma internee and his soldiers raided primacy city.

When Cortés learned think it over a Spanish force from Country led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him honor his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés down in the dumps the city.

He left 80 Spanish soldiers and a lightly cooked hundred Tlaxcaltecs under the walk of Pedro de Alvarado pause hold Tenochtitlan until he returned.

While Cortés was away, Alvarado massacred Aztec chiefs, and Cortés requited to Tenochtitlan to find spruce up rebellion in progress. The aggravated Aztec forces eventually drove potentate forces from the city.

Lasting the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was killed and much of influence plunder the Spanish had infatuated was lost. But Cortés was far from finished. His put right defeated the Aztecs in Difference of Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained preclude of Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Aztec Empire difficult to understand fallen.

Hernán Cortés: Legacy

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

Cortés responded by sending fin now-famous letters to Spanish Movement Charles V of Spain protract the lands he had licked and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continuing to seek opportunities to extend wealth and land.

He sent more expeditions task into new areas, including what is present-day Honduras. He clapped out much of his later days seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Nation royal court. He died entice Spain in 1547.

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Article Title

Hernán Cortés

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HISTORY

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Date Accessed

January 13, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 6, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009