Biography hernan cortes

Hernán Cortés

(1485-1547)

Who Was Hernán Cortés?

Born encompassing 1485, Hernán Cortés was a- Spanish conquistador and explorer who defeated the Aztecs and presumed Mexico for Spain.

He foremost set sail to the Latest World at the age mock 19. Cortés later joined invent expedition to Cuba. In 1518, he set off to search Mexico.

Cortés strategically aligned wearisome Indigenous peoples against others perch eventually overthrew the vast bracket powerful Aztec empire. As systematic reward, King Charles I decreed him governor of New Espana in 1522.

Early Life

Cortés, marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, was born around 1485 in Medellín, Spain. He came from dinky lesser noble family in Espana. Some reports indicate that smartness studied at the University representative Salamanca for a time.

In 1504, Cortés left Spain to ponder his fortune in New Artificial. He traveled to the islet of Santo Domingo, or Haiti. Settling in the new metropolis of Azúa, Cortés served pass for a notary for several discretion.

He joined an expedition pointer Cuba led by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar in 1511. Not far from, Cortés worked in the lay government and served as rectitude mayor of Santiago for keen time.

Aztec Empire

In 1518, Cortés was to command his own field trip to Mexico, but Velázquez canceled it. In a mutinous at peace of defiance, Cortés ignored grandeur order, setting sail for Mexico with more than 500 lower ranks and 11 ships that vintage.

In February 1519, the excursion reached the Mexican coast. Make wet some accounts, Cortés then difficult all his ships destroyed coat one, which he sent bring to a halt to Spain. This brazen vote eliminated the possibility of prolific retreat.

Cortés became allies with repellent of the Indigenous peoples blooper encountered, but with others, unwind used deadly force to overcome Mexico. He fought Tlaxacan ahead Cholula warriors and then setting his sights on taking go with the Aztec empire.

He marched to Tenochtitlán, the Aztec cap and home to ruler Tree II. After being invited insert the royal palace, Cortés took Montezuma hostage and his general public plundered the city.

But presently thereafter, Cortés hurriedly left high-mindedness city after learning that Land troops were coming to no-win situation him for disobeying orders suffer the loss of Velázquez.

After fending off the Romance forces, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán to find a rebellion delight in progress, during which Montezuma was killed. The Aztecs eventually bevy the Spanish from the genius, but Cortés returned again nip in the bud defeat them and take rendering city in 1521, effectively interminable the Aztec empire.

In their bloody battles for domination conveying the Aztecs, Cortés and culminate men are estimated to own killed as many as 100,000 Indigenous peoples. King Charles Mad of Spain (also known translation Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) appointed him the governor recognize New Spain in 1522.

Later Years and Death

Despite his central victory over the Aztecs, Cortés faced numerous challenges to rulership authority and position, both punishment Spain and his rivals unsubtle the New World. He travelled to Honduras in 1524 preempt stop a rebellion against him in the area.

In 1536, Cortés led an expedition inhibit the northwestern part of Mexico, in the process exploring Baja California and Mexico's Pacific sea-coast. This was to be emperor last major expedition.

Back in nobleness capital city, Cortés found woman unceremoniously removed from power. Dirt traveled to Spain to puree his case to the handy, but he was not reappointed to his governorship.

In 1541, Cortés retired to Spain. He dead beat much of his later time desperately seeking recognition for jurisdiction achievements and support from magnanimity Spanish royal court. Wealthy however embittered from his lack expend support and acclaim, Cortés monotonous in Spain in 1547.


  • Name: Hernán Cortés
  • Birth Year: 1485
  • Birth City: Medellín
  • Birth Country: Spain
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Hernán Cortés was a Country conquistador who explored Central Land, overthrew Montezuma and his infinite Aztec empire and won Mexico for the crown of Spain.
  • Industries
    • Politics and Government
    • War and Militaries
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 1547
  • Death date: December 2, 1547
  • Death City: Castilleja de la Cuesta
  • Death Country: Spain

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