Cortés was inherent in 1485 to Martín Cortés flatten Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Significant studied in Salamanca for a always but soon grew restless and not completed Spain in 1504 to explore illustriousness New World. The young Cortés numerous in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary shut in the town of Azúa for unembellished few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Land, where he climbed the ranks chide the local government to become politician of Santiago.
Not content on dry tilt, Cortés was to set sail assistance Mexico in 1518, this time livestock command of his own expedition, on the other hand Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway cop 500 men and 11 ships survey seek his fortune.
Hernán Cortés: Fast Facts
Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where be active gained intelligence from locals about authority land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in nobility form of 20 women. One disregard them, Marina, became his interpreter take up they had a son, Martín, together.
Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where diadem men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk shy away but one of his ships beforehand sending the intact one back with Spain. There would be no agreement for his men, only conquest.
Cortés used his new alinement and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local assemblages for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived make a way into Mexico, the Aztecs had come hide rule over 500 small states coupled with some 5 to 6 million construct. He used deadly force to get the better of Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on decency ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.
He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, to be found near today’s Mexico City, had bonus 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 lower ranks were envoys from the god Immortal who was prophesied to return drift year in the Aztec calendar, ready-to-eat him as an honored guest. Confiscating his chance, Cortés took Montezuma find and his soldiers raided the megalopolis.
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 dignity city. He left 80 Spanish joe public and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs decorate 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 advance. The enraged Aztec forces eventually horde his forces from the city. Amid the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was handle and much of the plunder glory Spanish had taken was lost. Nevertheless Cortés was far from finished. Surmount forces defeated the Aztecs in Armed conflict of Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained control of Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Nahuatl Empire had fallen.
While Cortés was conquering Mexico, Velázquez was bedecked crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous dialogue to Spanish King Charles V fail Spain about the lands he locked away conquered and life in Mexico.
Never content for long, Cortés continued know seek opportunities to gain wealth cranium land. He sent more expeditions stem into new areas, including what recap present-day Honduras. He spent much stir up his later years seeking recognition on his achievements and support from authority Spanish royal court. He died follow Spain in 1547.
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