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BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: taking down one of the most powerful empires on North America in his search for gold and power.
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: taking down one of the most powerful empires on North America in his search for gold and power.
Cortes was a Spanish explorer and soldier ("conquistador,") whose main claim to fame is conquering the powerful native American Aztec Empire. With 500 men, Cortes conquered an empire of 25 million. He unknowingly brought smallpox across the Atlantic, which the Aztecs weren't immune to, wiping out large numbers. Eventually, half of the Aztecs living in their amazing city of Tenochtitlan died of the disease, allowing Cortes to conquer the empire and quickly take over the land for Spain. His greed for gold and power was unmatched.
QUICK FACTS ON HERNAN CORTES:
QUICK FACTS ON HERNAN CORTES:
*started out studying law and even went to a university for two years, but then grew bored of studying and decided to try his hand at making a fortune in the Americas
*in 1511, he helped another Spaniard named Valazquez conquer Cuba, and so impressed the man that he was named mayor of Santiago
*in 1518, he convinced Velazquez to let him lead an expedition into the newly discovered Mexico. However, Velazquez began to doubt Hernan's motives and cancelled the mission.
*Cortes ignored him and began the expedition anyway, which is basically like committing a mutiny against a superior officer.
*in 1519, he landed on the eastern coast of Mexico. He had 500 men, 11 ships, 13 horses, and even a few cannon with him.
*By 1521, Cortes officially captured the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan. Watch the video above to learn more about how the beautiful city fell.
*By 1523, Cortes was named Governor of New Spain. Sadly, he was incredibly cruel to the native people, and destroyed much of Tenochtitlan. Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan.
*His impact for Spain was huge: his conquest of these peoples paved the way for Spain to take over the land and eventually turn it into a Spanish colony.
TENOCHTITLAN - Aztec capital- short video showing what the city once looked like
HISTORY CHANNEL DOCUMENTARY - AZTEC CIVILIZATION - 44:32 older but excellent
THE FALL OF THE AZTECS - 15:00 made by Kings and Generals
*the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan*
THE PATH OF CORTES, FROM COAST TO TENOCHTITLAN
model of Tenochtitlan found in Mexico City
artist depiction of temple in Tenochtitlan
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