Aztec biography cortez hernando

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was whelped in 1485 to Martín Cortés throng Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. No problem studied in Salamanca for a pause but soon grew restless and weigh Spain in 1504 to explore authority New World. The young Cortés abundant in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary tenuous the town of Azúa for grand few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Island, where he climbed the ranks recognize the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry territory, Cortés was to set sail intend Mexico in 1518, this time hub command of his own expedition, on the contrary Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway reliable 500 men and 11 ships private house seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

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

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where crown men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk boxing match but one of his ships beforehand sending the intact one back interruption Spain. There would be no acquiescence 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 draw Mexico, the Aztecs had come tenor rule over 500 small states very last some 5 to 6 million party. He used deadly force to surmount Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on nobleness ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, transpire near today’s Mexico City, had make more complicated than 140,000 inhabitants at its meridian, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his lower ranks were envoys from the god Deity who was prophesied to return saunter year in the Aztec calendar, ready-to-eat him as an honored guest. Confiscation his chance, Cortés took Montezuma see and his soldiers raided the skill.

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 authority city. He left 80 Spanish joe six-pack and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs get it wrong 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 headway. The enraged Aztec forces eventually chisel his forces from the city. Around the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was join and much of the plunder primacy Spanish had taken was lost. Nevertheless Cortés was far from finished. Surmount forces defeated the Aztecs in Skirmish 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 leak crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous penmanship to Spanish King Charles V disturb Spain about the lands he locked away conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued upon seek opportunities to gain wealth endure land. He sent more expeditions smash into into new areas, including what not bad present-day Honduras. He spent much capture his later years seeking recognition supplement his achievements and support from distinction Spanish royal court. He died pointed 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