Hernán Cortés: The Last of the Crusaders

Hernán Cortés was born in Medellín, Spain, in 1485. He was the son of a minor nobleman and received a good education. At a young age, he joined the Spanish army and fought in the Italian Wars. In 1511, he sailed to the New World with Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, the governor of Cuba.

Cortés quickly rose through the ranks of the Spanish army in the New World. In 1519, he was appointed captain of an expedition to explore the coast of Mexico. Cortés and his men landed on the coast of Mexico in February 1519. They quickly made contact with the Aztec Empire, the dominant power in Mesoamerica.

The Aztec Empire was a vast and powerful empire that ruled over much of what is now Mexico. The Aztecs were a highly civilized people with a complex social and political system. They were also fierce warriors, and they had a reputation for being cruel and ruthless.

HERNAN CORTES THE LAST OF THE CRUSADERS

by Tabitha Gibson

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Cortés and his men were greatly outnumbered by the Aztecs. However, they had superior weapons and technology, and they were able to use their horses and cannons to their advantage. Cortés also made alliances with some of the Aztec's enemies, including the Tlaxcalans.

In 1521, Cortés and his men laid siege to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. The siege lasted for several months, and it was a bloody and brutal affair. Eventually, the Aztecs were defeated, and Cortés captured the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II.

The conquest of the Aztec Empire was a major turning point in the history of the Americas. It marked the beginning of the Spanish colonial period in Mexico, and it led to the spread of Spanish culture and language throughout the region.

After the conquest of the Aztec Empire, Cortés was appointed governor of New Spain, the Spanish colony that was established in Mexico. He ruled New Spain for several years, and he was responsible for establishing many of the institutions that would shape the colony's development.

Cortés returned to Spain in 1540. He was a wealthy and powerful man, but he was also a controversial figure. He was accused of being cruel and ruthless, and he was eventually stripped of his governorship.

Cortés died in Seville, Spain, in 1547. He was buried in the Cathedral of Seville, and his tomb is still a popular tourist destination today.

Cortés was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant military leader, but he was also a ruthless and ambitious man. He was responsible for the conquest of the Aztec Empire, but he also caused the deaths of millions of indigenous people.

Cortés's legacy is still debated today. Some people view him as a hero who brought civilization to the New World. Others view him as a villain who destroyed a great civilization. Regardless of one's opinion of Cortés, there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential figures in the history of the Americas.

• Birth: Medellín, Spain, 1485
• Death: Seville, Spain, 1547
• Occupation: Conquistador, governor of New Spain
• Known for: Leading the conquest of the Aztec Empire
• Spouse: Juana de Zúñiga
• Children: Martín Cortés, Leonor Cortés, María Cortés, Catalina Cortés
• Legacy: Founded the Spanish colony of New Spain, introduced European culture and language to Mexico

HERNAN CORTES THE LAST OF THE CRUSADERS

by Tabitha Gibson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	577 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	16 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE