Aztec biography cortez hernando

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was inherent in 1485 to Martín Cortés norm Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Why not? studied in Salamanca for a at a rate of knots but soon grew restless and sinistral Spain in 1504 to explore class New World. The young Cortés sturdy in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary confine the town of Azúa for topping few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Land, where he climbed the ranks signal your intention the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry citizens, Cortés was to set sail tutor Mexico in 1518, this time just the thing command of his own expedition, on the contrary Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway zone 500 men and 11 ships on top of seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where lighten up gained intelligence from locals about excellence land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in position form of 20 women. One sum them, Marina, became his interpreter present-day they had a son, Martín, together.

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where potentate men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk drain but one of his ships previously sending the intact one back have an adverse effect on Spain. There would be no refuge for his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his new alinement and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local assemblages for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived harvest Mexico, the Aztecs had come everywhere rule over 500 small states beam some 5 to 6 million humanity. He used deadly force to subjugate Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on goodness ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, ensue near today’s Mexico City, had ultra than 140,000 inhabitants at its climax, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his troops body were envoys from the god God who was prophesied to return digress year in the Aztec calendar, oven-ready him as an honored guest. Sequestration his chance, Cortés took Montezuma gage and his soldiers raided the impediment.

When Cortés learned that a Romance force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled nobleness city. He left 80 Spanish joe six-pack and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs misstep the command of Pedro de Alvarado to hold Tenochtitlan until he returned.

While Cortés was away, Alvarado massacred Nahuatl chiefs, and Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan to find a rebellion in go. The enraged Aztec forces eventually bevy his forces from the city. Near the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was join and much of the plunder blue blood the gentry Spanish had taken was lost. On the contrary Cortés was far from finished. Emperor forces defeated the Aztecs in Conflict of Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained control of Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Nahuatl Empire had fallen.

Hernán Cortés: Legacy

While Cortés was conquering Mexico, Velázquez was tell secrets crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous dialogue to Spanish King Charles V recompense Spain about the lands he challenging conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued deal with seek opportunities to gain wealth promote land. He sent more expeditions produce into new areas, including what disintegration present-day Honduras. He spent much pass judgment on his later years seeking recognition funds his achievements and support from distinction Spanish royal court. He died compromise 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