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Hernan Cortes Research Paper

453 Words2 Pages

Preston Lipscomb
5/22/17
Hernan Cortes
Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conqueror. He was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain. He died on December 2, 1547. He invaded Mexico in 1519, and he conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521. His parents’ names were Martin Cortez and Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. Hernan Cortes was a hero that conquered the Aztec Empire.
Hernan Cortes’ was an educated man. Military ran in his blood, his father was an officer in the Spanish army. He attended the University of Salamanca when he was only 14 years old. When Hernan Cortes was only 19 he joined Diego Velazquez and Nicola de Overdo on their voyages to the New World. In 1536 Hernan Cortes discovered California.
Hernan Cortes’ expedition was long and difficult, even after he reached the Aztecs. The major civilization in the region was that of the Aztecs, led by Montezuma II. Cortés headed for the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, which was a three-month journey over difficult …show more content…

However it didn’t last long. In 1523 Cortés was named governor and captain general of New Spain. In 1528, amid Spanish fears that he was becoming too powerful, he was forced to return to Spain where the king reinstated him as captain general, but not to the position of civil governor. On his return to Mexico, his powers were significantly limited and his activities monitored.
Some might argue that Hernan Cortes was a villain instead of a hero because he invaded the Aztecs and took Montezuma hostage. First of all Hernan Cortes was searching for the New World and happened to find Central America. Second of all he had no choice, Hernan Cortes feared an attack forcing him to take Montezuma hostage.
Some might also argue that Hernan Cortes was a villain because he brought many diseases with him killing many people. But Hernan Cortes didn’t know he was carrying any diseases. Therefore the spread of diseases isn’t Cortes’ fault he didn’t know what would come of his

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