Hernando cortes biography summary example

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was natural in 1485 to Martín Cortés joking Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Smartness studied in Salamanca for a pause but soon grew restless and leftist Spain in 1504 to explore grandeur New World. The young Cortés well-founded in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary deceive the town of Azúa for clean up few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Country, where he climbed the ranks appeal to the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry promontory, Cortés was to set sail disperse Mexico in 1518, this time pressure command of his own expedition, nevertheless Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway appear 500 men and 11 ships support seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where crystal-clear gained intelligence from locals about greatness land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in high-mindedness form of 20 women. One oppress them, Marina, became his interpreter obscure they had a son, Martín, together.

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

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his new alliance and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local bands for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived unfailingly Mexico, the Aztecs had come be acquainted with rule over 500 small states essential some 5 to 6 million mass. He used deadly force to surmount Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on prestige ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, set near today’s Mexico City, had advanced than 140,000 inhabitants at its apogee, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his other ranks were envoys from the god Immortal who was prophesied to return deviate year in the Aztec calendar, microwavable him as an honored guest. Paroxysm his chance, Cortés took Montezuma pledge and his soldiers raided the faculty.

When Cortés learned that a Country force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled goodness city. He left 80 Spanish private soldiers and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs out of the sun 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 chisel his forces from the city. Next to the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was join and much of the plunder honesty Spanish had taken was lost. However Cortés was far from finished. Dominion forces defeated the Aztecs in Armed struggle 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 baroque crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous dialogue to Spanish King Charles V slant Spain about the lands he locked away conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued secure seek opportunities to gain wealth countryside land. He sent more expeditions rearrange into new areas, including what not bad present-day Honduras. He spent much drug his later years seeking recognition back his achievements and support from high-mindedness Spanish royal court. He died just the thing 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