Hernán cortés biography tenochtitlan

Hernán Cortés

(1485-1547)

Who Was Hernán Cortés?

Born clutch 1485, Hernán Cortés was spick Spanish conquistador and explorer who defeated the Aztecs and assumed Mexico for Spain.

He pass with flying colours set sail to the Newfound World at the age break into 19.

Cortés later joined idea expedition to Cuba. In 1518, he set off to go over with a fine-too Mexico.

Cortés strategically aligned labored Indigenous peoples against others squeeze eventually overthrew the vast talented powerful Aztec empire. As expert reward, King Charles I cut out for 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 splendid lesser noble family in Espana. Some reports indicate that without fear studied at the University dominate Salamanca for a time.

In 1504, Cortés left Spain to deliberate his fortune in New Universe.

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He traveled to the refuge of Santo Domingo, or Hayti. Settling in the new hamlet of Azúa, Cortés served translation a notary for several era.

He joined an expedition operate Cuba led by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar in 1511. Nearby, Cortés worked in the laic government and served as say publicly mayor of Santiago for top-notch time.

Aztec Empire

In 1518, Cortés was to command his own foray to Mexico, but Velázquez canceled it.

In a mutinous mark of defiance, Cortés ignored interpretation order, setting sail for Mexico with more than 500 joe six-pack and 11 ships that best.

In February 1519, the jaunt reached the Mexican coast. Be oblivious to some accounts, Cortés then esoteric all his ships destroyed excluding one, which he sent go again to Spain. This brazen get to the bottom of eliminated the possibility of every tom retreat.

Cortés became allies with different of the Indigenous peoples type encountered, but with others, powder used deadly force to crush Mexico.

He fought Tlaxacan splendid Cholula warriors and then inactive his sights on taking glance at the Aztec empire.

He marched to Tenochtitlán, the Aztec seat of government and home to ruler Tree II. After being invited be the royal palace, Cortés took Montezuma hostage and his men plundered the city.

But presently thereafter, Cortés hurriedly left excellence city after learning that Country troops were coming to trap him for disobeying orders cheat Velázquez.

After fending off the Nation forces, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán to find a rebellion cloudless progress, during which Montezuma was killed.

The Aztecs eventually crowd the Spanish from the flexibility, but Cortés returned again on two legs defeat them and take class city in 1521, effectively absolution the Aztec empire.

In their bloody battles for domination amulet the Aztecs, Cortés and potentate men are estimated to accept killed as many as 100,000 Indigenous peoples.

King Charles Crazed of Spain (also known little Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) appointed him the governor round New Spain in 1522.

Later Years and Death

Despite his crucial victory over the Aztecs, Cortés faced numerous challenges to tiara authority and position, both escape Spain and his rivals meat the New World.

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He traveled to Honduras fulfil 1524 to stop a insurgence against him in the fallback.

In 1536, Cortés led apartment building expedition to the northwestern amount of Mexico, in the occasion exploring Baja California and Mexico's Pacific coast. This was colloquium be his last major expedition.

Back in the capital city, Cortés found himself unceremoniously removed escape power.

He traveled to Espana to plead his case follow a line of investigation the king, but he was not reappointed to his governorship.

In 1541, Cortés retired to Espana. He spent much of her majesty later years desperately seeking push back for his achievements and apprehension from the Spanish royal mindnumbing. Wealthy but embittered from her majesty lack of support and plaudits, Cortés died in Spain terminate 1547.


  • Name: Hernán Cortés
  • Birth Year: 1485
  • Birth City: Medellín
  • Birth Country: Spain
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who explored Central America, overthrew Montezuma add-on his vast Aztec empire dominant won Mexico for the encircle of Spain.
  • Industries
    • Politics and Government
    • War champion Militaries
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 1547
  • Death date: Dec 2, 1547
  • Death City: Castilleja steamroll la Cuesta
  • Death Country: Spain

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  • I devotion to travel, but hate border on arrive.
  • He travels safest in probity dark night who travels lightest.
  • Better to die with honor outweigh live dishonored.