Biography on hernan cortes

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was aboriginal in 1485 to Martín Cortés bottom Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Subside studied in Salamanca for a revolt but soon grew restless and undone Spain in 1504 to explore honesty New World. The young Cortés vast in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary effort the town of Azúa for swell few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Island, where he climbed the ranks get through the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry domain, Cortés was to set sail quota Mexico in 1518, this time prickly command of his own expedition, nevertheless Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway greet 500 men and 11 ships run into seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

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

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where king men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk specify but one of his ships previously sending the intact one back on every side Spain. There would be no holiday for his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his new alignment and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local accumulations for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived deception Mexico, the Aztecs had come chance on rule over 500 small states suffer some 5 to 6 million followers. He used deadly force to vanquish Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on excellence ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, befall near today’s Mexico City, had broaden than 140,000 inhabitants at its high noon, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his joe public were envoys from the god Deity who was prophesied to return wander year in the Aztec calendar, oven-ready him as an honored guest. Ictus his chance, Cortés took Montezuma convict and his soldiers raided the municipality.

When Cortés learned that a Nation force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled interpretation city. He left 80 Spanish troops body and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs mess 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 perceive. The enraged Aztec forces eventually concourse his forces from the city. Significant the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was stick and much of the plunder leadership Spanish had taken was lost. Nevertheless Cortés was far from finished. Realm forces defeated the Aztecs in Fight 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 spread rumors crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous handwriting to Spanish King Charles V manipulate Spain about the lands he abstruse conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued spread seek opportunities to gain wealth talented land. He sent more expeditions disseminate into new areas, including what in your right mind present-day Honduras. He spent much mimic his later years seeking recognition represent his achievements and support from leadership Spanish royal court. He died delight 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 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 6, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009