What were the accomplishments of Hernán Cortés?

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 did Cortes do that was important?

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who explored Central America, overthrew Montezuma and his vast Aztec empire and won Mexico for the crown of Spain.

How did Cortes change 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 crimes did Hernán Cortés commit?

In the end, Hernan Cortes has killed many civilians and brought Montezuma II’s reign to an end and the Aztec Empire was gone with it. However, He killed many people so he is guilty of the killing of 150,000 civilians.

What Cortes remembered?

Engraving by W. Holl, 1837. ) Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador, or conqueror, best remembered for conquering the Aztec empire in 1521 and claiming Mexico for Spain. He also helped colonize Cuba and became a governor of New Spain.

How did Hernán Cortés impact the Aztecs?

Cortés’s army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city. Cortés’s victory destroyed the Aztec empire, and the Spanish began to consolidate control over what became the colony of New Spain.

How did Hernán Cortés treat the natives?

He fought and conquered the local natives. Here and elsewhere, he forced the Indians to convert to Christianity. If they refused, they were killed. The natives were astonished at the Spaniards for more than their powerful army.

Why did Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs?

Eager to appropriate new land for the Spanish crown, convert Indigenous people to Christianity and plunder the region for gold and riches, Cortés organized his own rogue crew of 100 sailors, 11 ships, 508 soldiers and 16 horses.

How did Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire?

Spanish conquistadores commanded by Hernán Cortés allied with local tribes to conquer the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán. Cortés’s army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city.

Why was Cortés a good leader?

His health improved and he trained as a soldier, taking part in the subjugation of the parts of Hispaniola that had held out against the Spanish. He became known as a good leader, an intelligent administrator, and a ruthless fighter.

What impact did Hernán Cortés have on Texas?

Then, in 1682, the Spaniards established the first Texas mission, Corpus Christi de la Ysleta, near present-day El Paso. The purpose of this mission was to spread Christianity to Native Americans in the area. The mission was a success, and more were promised. Cortés brings gold and silver from Mexico to Spain.

Why was Hernán Cortés a good leader?

It took a great deal of bravery for Cortés to follow through with his plans when he only had three hundred men fighting against thousands of Aztecs. His bravery kept his men going. they looked up to him for leadership and bravery. Without a strong brave leader, his men would not have made it.

What did Hernán Cortés do in what is now Mexico?

By July of 1519, Cortes officially took over Veracruz. In October of 1519, he marched to the second largest city in central Mexico, Cholula. Here, he massacred thousands of individuals and set fire to the city. Another expedition was sent to Mexico to oppose Cortes, under the rule of Panfilo de Narvaaz.

What did the Spanish gain from conquering the Aztecs?

It Made Spain a World Power Although much of the original gold looted from the Aztec Empire was lost to shipwrecks or pirates, rich silver mines were discovered in Mexico and later in Peru. This wealth made Spain a world power and involved them in wars and conquests around the globe.