Fast Facts: Hernán Cortés
- Known For: Brutal conqueror of the Aztec Empire
- Born: 1485 in Medellín, Castile (Spain)
- Parents: Martín Cortés de Monroy, Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino
- Died: Dec. ...
- Spouses: Catalina Suárez Marcaida, Juana Ramírez de Arellano de Zúñiga
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How did Cortes impact the world?
Cortez's men destroyed the city, killed thousands of Aztecs, and ushered in centuries of Spanish rule. They also introduced the Spanish language to an area with a variety of indigenous languages, most notably Nahuatl, the official language of the Aztec empire.
What did Hernan Cortes discover?
However, Cortes ignored these orders and sailed anyway. He sailed with eleven ships, five hundred men, thirteen horses, and a multitude of cannons. He landed in Mayan territory, specifically in the Yucatan Peninsula. In March of 1519, Cortes claimed the land for the Spanish empire.
What was Cortes main contribution to history quizlet?
His full name is Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro and he was a explorer, military leader and Spanish conquistador. He caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought part of Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th Century. He was part first generation of colonizers who came to the Americas.
Who discovered Mexico first?
An artistic rendering of the retreat of Hernán Cortés from Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, in 1520. The Spanish conquistador led an expedition to present-day Mexico, landing in 1519.
Why was Hernando Cortes a hero?
He was a hero in the 16th century, but history remembers him differently. He had many conquests during his life. But he is perhaps most known for his conquer of the Aztec Empire in 1521. He enslaved much of the native population, and many of the indigenous people were wiped out from European diseases such as smallpox.
What is Hernán Cortés main achievement?
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (c. 1485-1547) is best known for conquering the Aztecs and claiming Mexico on behalf of Spain. Cortés (full name Don Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca) first served as a soldier in an expedition of Cuba led by Diego Velázquez in 1511.
What was one advantage Cortés had over the Aztec?
How was Hernan Cortes able to conquer the Aztec Empire? Hernan Cortes was able to conquer the Aztec Empire by scaring the natives with the 16 horses, gaining alliances with the other enemies of the Aztec, having superior and better weapons than the natives (like guns), having armor, and having steel.
Why did the Cortes want to conquer the Aztecs quizlet?
Why did Cortes want to conquer the Aztecs? He wanted their land and riches, and he wanted to convert them to Christianity.
Who conquered the Aztecs?
Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico. Cortés Defeats The Aztecs. Hernán Cortés: Legacy. Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (c. 1485-1547) is best known for conquering the Aztecs and claiming Mexico on behalf of Spain. Cortés (full name Don Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca) first served as a soldier in an expedition ...
Who took Montezuma hostage?
Seizing his chance, Cortés took Montezuma hostage and his soldiers raided the city. When Cortés learned that a Spanish force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled the city.
Where was the Aztec capital located?
He entered Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, located near today’s Mexico City, had more than 140,000 inhabitants at its height, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica.
Who was killed in the Aztec retreat?
The enraged Aztec forces eventually drove his forces from the city. During the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was killed and much of the plunder the Spanish had taken was lost. But Cortés was far from finished.
Who was the governor of Cuba in 1511?
He contracted syphilis and, as a result, missed the ill-fated expeditions of Diego de Nicuesa and Alonso de Ojeda, which sailed for the South American mainland in 1509. By 1511 he had recovered, and he sailed with Diego Velázquez to conquer Cuba. There Velázquez was appointed governor, and Cortés clerk to the treasurer.
What did Gómara describe him as?
Gómara went on to describe him as ruthless, haughty, mischievous, and quarrelsome, “a source of trouble to his parents.”. Certainly he was “much given to women,” frustrated by provincial life, and excited by stories of the Indies Columbus had just discovered.
Who was the mayor of Santiago?
Cortés was twice elected alcalde (“mayor”) of the town of Santiago and was a man who “in all he did, in his presence, bearing, conversation, manner of eating and of dressing, gave signs of being a great lord.”.
Who was the Spanish conquistador responsible for conquering the Aztec Empire and building Mexico City?
Age of Discovery. Hernán Cortés was the Spanish conquistador responsible for conquering the Aztec Empire and building Mexico City which secured Spain’s position in the New World.
Who seized control of Mexico and reorganized his men and allies?
Cortés reorganized his men and allies, and seized control of neighboring territories around the capital. They regained control of the city by August of 1521. This marked the fall of the Aztec empire. Cortés had seized control of Mexico for Spain.
What was the name of the battle between the Spanish and the natives?
On March 25, 1519, in the Cintla Valley, the two sides fought in a battle known as the Battle of Cintla. The natives were no match for the Spanish soldiers weaponry and armor. 800 Tabascans were killed; only 2 Spanish men were killed.5 The Tabascans pledged their loyalty to Spain, and gave Cortés gold and slave women.
Why was Velasquez imprisoned?
Velasquez, now governor of Cuba, imprisoned Cortés for not upholding his promise.2 Eventually, Cortés agreed to marry Catalina, but relations between Velázquez and Cortés remained tense.In 1518, appointed Cortés to lead an expedition to conquer the interior of Mexico.
Who conquered Mexico for Spain?
With superior firepower, 600 Spaniards, a dozen horses, and thousands of native allies, Hernán Cortés conquered Mexico for Spain. This also marked the fall of the Aztec Empire. His conquest enabled Spain to create a stronghold and colonies in the New World. From a young age, Cortés sought wealth and adventure.
Who was the governor of Mexico?
Cortés had seized control of Mexico for Spain. Cortés was named governor, and went on to establish Mexico City, built on the ruins of the fallen Aztec capital. Later Years and Death. Several years after his conquest of Mexico, Cortés endured many challenges to his status and position.
When did Cortes conquer Tenochtitlán?
He reached Tenochtitlán in 1519 and occupied it without a fight. When Velázquez, now governor of Cuba, sent an expedition under Pánfilo de Narváez to rein in Cortés, Cortes defeated Narváez, adding Narváez's men to his forces. After the battle, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán with his reinforcements but found chaos.
What was the impact of the Conquest of Cuba?
The conquest of Cuba was marked by a number of unspeakable abuses, including massacres and the burning alive of Native chief Hatuey. Cortés distinguished himself as a soldier and administrator and was made mayor of the new city of Santiago. His influence grew.
Who was the governor of New Spain?
Governor. From 1521 to 1528 Cortés served as governor of New Spain, as Mexico became known. The crown sent administrators, and Cortés oversaw the rebuilding of the city and expeditions to explore other parts of Mexico.
Who was the Aztec emperor who was killed by his own people?
Aztec Emperor Montezuma was killed by his own people while trying to placate the crowd, and an angry mob chased the Spanish from the city in what became known as the Noche Triste, or “Night of Sorrows.”. Cortés regrouped, retook the city, and by 1521 was in charge of Tenochtitlán again.
Overview
In popular culture
• Cortés was portrayed (as "Hernando Cortez") by actor Cesar Romero in the 1947 historical adventure film Captain from Castile.
• "Cortez the Killer", a 1975 song by Neil Young
• Cortés is a major villain in the 2000 animated movie The Road to El Dorado, voiced by Jim Cummings
Physical appearance
There is only one known portrait made during Hernán Cortés's lifetime, a drawing by Christoph Weiditz. The account of the conquest of the Aztec Empire written by Bernal Díaz del Castillo, gives a detailed description of Hernán Cortés's physical appearance:
He was of good stature and body, well proportioned and stocky, the color of hi…
Early life
Cortés was born in 1485 in the town of Medellín, then a village in the Kingdom of Castile, now a municipality of the modern-day province of Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain. His father, Martín Cortés de Monroy, born in 1449 to Rodrigo or Ruy Fernández de Monroy and his wife María Cortés, was an infantry captain of distinguished ancestry but slender means. Hernán's mother was Catalína Pizarro Altamirano.
Early career in the New World
Plans were made for Cortés to sail to the Americas with a family acquaintance and distant relative, Nicolás de Ovando, the newly appointed Governor of Hispaniola. (This island is now divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Cortés suffered an injury and was prevented from traveling. He spent the next year wandering the country, probably spending most of his time in Spain's southern ports of Cadiz, Palos, Sanlucar, and Seville. He finally left for Hispaniola in 150…
Conquest of Mexico (1519–1521)
In 1518, Velázquez put Cortés in command of an expedition to explore and secure the interior of Mexico for colonization. At the last minute, due to the old argument between the two, Velázquez changed his mind and revoked Cortés's charter. Cortés ignored the orders and, in an act of open mutiny, went anyway in February 1519. He stopped in Trinidad, Cuba, to hire more soldiers and obtain …
Appointment to governorship of Mexico and internal dissensions
Many historical sources have conveyed an impression that Cortés was unjustly treated by the Spanish Crown, and that he received nothing but ingratitude for his role in establishing New Spain. This picture is the one Cortés presents in his letters and in the later biography written by Francisco López de Gómara. However, there may be more to the picture than this. Cortés's own sense of ac…
Royal grant of arms (1525)
Although Cortés had flouted the authority of Diego Velázquez in sailing to the mainland and then leading an expedition of conquest, Cortés's spectacular success was rewarded by the crown with a coat of arms, a mark of high honor, following the conqueror's request. The document granting the coat of arms summarizes Cortés's accomplishments in the conquest of Mexico. The procla…