Hernán Cortés

Ruta de Cortés

ScuttleFleetNHMDF

Cortez & La Malinche

Jal-ixco

Malinche Tlaxcala

Hernán Cortés (1485 – December 2, 1547) was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers that began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Early Life

Born in Medellín, Spain, in 1485, Hernán Cortés was the son of Martín Cortés de Monroy and Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in exploration and adventure. Despite his family's noble status, they were not particularly wealthy, which influenced Cortés's decision to seek fortune and glory abroad.

Expedition to Mexico

In 1519, Cortés was appointed as the commander of an expedition to explore and secure the interior of Mexico for colonization. With a force of about 600 men, he landed on the coast of Mexico in present-day Veracruz. Through a combination of military conquest, alliances with certain indigenous peoples, and the use of advanced European military technology, Cortés was able to march towards the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán.

Conquest of the Aztec Empire

The conquest of the Aztec Empire is one of the most significant events in the colonization of the Americas. Upon reaching Tenochtitlán, Cortés and his men were initially received by the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II, who was uncertain how to deal with the Spanish threat. Through a series of strategic maneuvers and the capture of Moctezuma, Cortés was able to exert control over the city. However, the situation escalated, leading to the outbreak of hostilities. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Cortés's forces managed to capture Tenochtitlán in 1521, aided significantly by a smallpox epidemic that devastated the indigenous population.

Later Life and Death

After the fall of Tenochtitlán, Cortés continued to consolidate Spanish control over the former Aztec lands, becoming the governor of New Spain. However, his later years were marked by legal battles and disputes with the Spanish crown over the rights and rewards of his conquests. He died on December 2, 1547, in Castilleja de la Cuesta, Spain.

Legacy

Hernán Cortés's legacy is complex. He is often seen as a key figure in the Spanish colonization of the Americas, a process that led to the mixing of cultures but also to the significant suffering and decline of indigenous populations. His military campaigns are studied for their strategic brilliance, but they are also criticized for their brutality and the impact on indigenous societies.