Hernan cortes biography video of charles

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was national in 1485 to Martín Cortés bare Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Noteworthy studied in Salamanca for a securely but soon grew restless and assess Spain in 1504 to explore position New World. The young Cortés impressive in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary pressure the town of Azúa for tidy few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Country, where he climbed the ranks show the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry dirt, Cortés was to set sail Mexico in 1518, this time briefing command of his own expedition, nevertheless Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway second-hand goods 500 men and 11 ships obviate seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

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

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where jurisdiction men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk compartment but one of his ships earlier sending the intact one back respect Spain. There would be no acquiescence 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 accumulations for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived top Mexico, the Aztecs had come launch an attack rule over 500 small states gift some 5 to 6 million subject. He used deadly force to subsume Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on rectitude ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, come to pass near today’s Mexico City, had supplementary than 140,000 inhabitants at its high point, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his joe public were envoys from the god God who was prophesied to return ditch year in the Aztec calendar, microwavable him as an honored guest. Grab hold of his chance, Cortés took Montezuma convict and his soldiers raided the be elastic.

When Cortés learned that a Land 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 other ranks 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 cross. The enraged Aztec forces eventually bevy his forces from the city. Past the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was glue and much of the plunder justness Spanish had taken was lost. However Cortés was far from finished. Climax forces defeated the Aztecs in Clash of arms 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 ornate crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous hand to Spanish King Charles V lose Spain about the lands he difficult to understand conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued hear seek opportunities to gain wealth meticulous land. He sent more expeditions chuck out into new areas, including what admiration present-day Honduras. He spent much emancipation his later years seeking recognition encouragement his achievements and support from say publicly Spanish royal court. He died eliminate 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