🐬
Hernán Cortés (1485–1547) was a Spanish conquistador known for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire and the establishment of Spanish rule in Mexico. His conquests and actions had a lasting impact on the history and culture of the Americas.
Early Life
Birth: Hernán Cortés was born in Medellín, Spain, in 1485. He came from a lesser noble family and was educated in law at the University of Salamanca.
Early Career: After a brief stint in law, Cortés sailed to the New World in 1504, initially settling in Hispaniola and later moving to Cuba, where he became a landowner and a soldier.
Conquest of the Aztec Empire
Expedition to Mexico: In 1519, Cortés led an expedition to Mexico with a small force of around 600 men, seeking wealth and glory. Upon arriving, he formed alliances with various indigenous groups who were discontented with Aztec rule.
Fall of Tenochtitlán: Cortés marched to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, where he encountered the emperor Moctezuma II. Initially, Moctezuma welcomed Cortés, but tensions quickly escalated. Cortés and his forces captured the city in 1521 after a prolonged siege, leading to the downfall of the Aztec Empire.
Governorship and Legacy
Governor of New Spain: Following the conquest, Cortés was appointed governor of the newly established colony of New Spain. He oversaw the initial Spanish colonization efforts and the establishment of a colonial government.
Controversial Legacy: Cortés's actions are often viewed with ambivalence. He is credited with opening up Mexico to European colonization, but his conquests resulted in significant suffering, exploitation, and the decimation of indigenous populations due to violence and diseases brought by Europeans.
Death
Hernán Cortés returned to Spain in 1540, where he struggled with political and legal challenges. He died on December 2, 1547, in Castilleja de la Cuesta, near Seville.
