Cort é s departed Spain in 1504, landing in Hispaniola, the administrative center of Spain ’ s colony and only permanent settlement until 1507.
What is the legacy of Hernan Cortes?
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 of Cuba led by Diego Velázquez in 1511.
How many men did Hernan Cortes take to Mexico?
In 1519 Cortés was to command his own expedition to Mexico, but Velázquez cancelled it. Cortés ignored the order and traveled with about 500 men and 11 ships to Mexico. Cortés became allies with some of the native peoples he encountered, but with others he used deadly force to conquer Mexico.
How did Hernan Cortes get land in Puerto Rico?
He received a small encomienda (grant of land with the right to native labor) from the governor Nicol á s de Ovando and was made notary of the newly founded town of Azua, in the south of the island, an area subdued with his aid.
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What happened to Hernán Cortés after the Spanish conquest?
Never content for long, Cortés continued to seek opportunities to gain wealth and land. He sent more expeditions out into new areas, including what is present-day Honduras. He spent much of his later years seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Spanish royal court. He died in Spain in 1547.
What did Cortés do after he left Tenochtitlán?
Houses were burned and temples destroyed. After the sack of Tenochtitlán, Cortés declared the city his on August 13, 1521. Cuauhtémoc tried to escape with some of his loyal advisors and nobles, but they were discovered and captured, and Cuauhtémoc was later hanged.
What land did Hernán Cortés claim?
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.
Did any Aztecs survive?
By the 1500s, they had not only survived, but managed to prevail, and they were taking no chances of being forced to go backwards. They used their brains and their brawn to defeat their neighbors — first the other ethnic groups in the central basic of Mexico, and then much farther afield.
Who was responsible for the fall of the Aztecs?
On 13 August 1521, after over two months of fighting, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés succeeded in bringing about the fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, and consequently brought an end to Aztec civilisation.
Did Hernán Cortés find gold?
Answer and Explanation: Cortes found gold. While living amongst the Aztecs, Cortes was exposed to the gold within the Empire, and following his conquest of the Aztecs, he sent back an unknown amount of gold to Spain from the Aztec Empire.
Did Hernán Cortés enslave the Aztecs?
Unfortunately, "when it came to the Indigenous people, Cortés was not unique in his treatment and mindset," Cosme said. "He enslaved much of the Native population, and many of the Indigenous people were wiped out from European diseases such as smallpox.
What position did Cortés receive after he conquered the Aztecs?
After he overthrew the Aztec Empire, Cortés was awarded the title of Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, while the more prestigious title of Viceroy was given to a high-ranking nobleman, Antonio de Mendoza.
What impression does Cortés give about the city of Tenochtitlan?
What impression does Cortés give about the city of Tenochtitlán? It is well-built and well-organized. A polytheistic religion was a central part of Aztec life.
How did Cortés conquer Tenochtitlan?
Leaving his top lieutenant Pedro de Alvarado in charge of Tenochtitlán, Cortés took men to attack the Spanish forces at the coast. Cortes's men defeated the troops and took the surviving Spanish soldiers back with him as reinforcements to Tenochtitlán.
What did Cortés do to Montezuma after the two met?
Cortés placed a necklace of pearls and cut glass around the neck of Montezuma, but was held back by two lords when he tried to embrace the emperor.
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 the Aztec leader who ruled Mexico?
Cortés ignored the order and traveled to Mexico anyway, setting his sights on overthrowing ruler Montezuma II in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs eventually drove the Spanish from Tenochtitlan, but Cortés returned to defeat the natives and take the city in 1521. He spent much of his later years seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Spanish royal court.
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.
How many people did the Aztecs have?
By the time he arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs had come to rule over 500 small states and some 5 to 6 million people. He used deadly force to conquer Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on the ultimate prize: taking over the Aztec Empire.
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.
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.”.
What happened to Cortes in 1503?
He finally reached the West Indies in 1503 , arriving with a Spanish expedition to Hispaniola and Cuba. He was granted an encomienda (estate) on Hispaniola by the governor, Diego Velazquez de Curellar, as well as a number of Indian slaves. In 1511 he set out with Velazquez to conquer the island of Cuba. For his service he was appointed treasurer of the new colony, responsible for directing 20 percent of all income from it to the Spanish crown, and an appointment as mayor of the town of Santiago, the island's capital city.
Where was Cortes born?
Born in the town of Medellin in the Estremadura region of Castile, Cortes was the son of a soldier and the cousin of Francisco Pizarro, the conqueror of the Inca Empire of Peru. Cortes attended the University of Salamanca but, in search of a more adventurous life, dropped his studies in law after two years.
How many brigantines were built to ferry troops and attack Tenochtitl á n from?
Even as Cort é s ordered thirteen brigantines built to ferry troops and attack Tenochtitl á n from the water, where its defenses were most vulnerable, the Mexica were digging trenches armed with sharply pointed sticks and captured lances to kill or hobble the Spaniards ’ horses.
Where was Hern a Cort born?
The son of Mart í n Cort é s de Monroy and Catalina Pizarro Altamirano, Hern á n Cort é s was born in Medell í n, in southwestern Spain. His father sent him at age fourteen to study law at the University of Salamanca, but Hern á n had little taste for academic life.
Who was the Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico?
Cortés, Hernán (1485–1547) Spanish conquistador and conqueror of Mexico. In 1518, Cortés sailed from Cuba to Central America with 550 men. They marched inland toward the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City ), gaining allies among the subject peoples of the Aztec king, Montezuma II. While he was absent, conflict broke out. In 1521 Cortés captured the city after a three-month siege, thereby gaining the Aztec empire for Spain.
When did the Spaniards flee Tenochtitl a N?
In any event, the Spaniards were obliged to flee Tenochtitl á n during the night of June 30 ( la noche triste ), losing more than half their forces and nearly all the plunder. These losses fell heaviest on the troops newly recruited, with promises and threats, from among the men sent to arrest Cort é s by Vel á zquez.
Who was the leader of the expedition to Mexico?
Velazquez made plans to send an expedition to what is now Mexico; Cortés was placed in charge of the expedition. With his experience as a leader and his position in politics, Cortés was able to quickly recruit 300 men and acquire six ships. Cortés soon became aware that Velazquez was intending to name another leader of the expedition, and in an effort to preserve his efforts he slipped away and headed along the coast of Cuba, recruiting more men. When Cortés finally left for Mexico on February 18, 1519, he was the leader of over 600 soldiers and sailors, 11 ships, 200 Indians for support, and 16 horses.
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.
How many men did Velázquez have on his expedition?
Velázquez was assigned the subjugation of the island of Cuba. He set out with three ships and 300 men, including young Cortés, a clerk assigned to the treasurer of the expedition. Also along on the expedition was Bartolomé de Las Casas, who would eventually describe the horrors of the conquest and denounce the conquistadores.
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.
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 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 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 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.