Hernan Cortes Essay

Improved Essays
Hernan Cortes was born in the year 1845. He is said to be one of the people who helped to advance the position of Spain in North America in the sixteenth century. Cortes came from a lesser noble family hence, a wonder into his courageous expeditions. t a time, he studied at the University of Salamanca. He had a yearning to attain his fortune, and in as early as 19 years, he set out to look for it.
“In his explorative journeys, Cortes was a ruthless man, and he would do anything including killing the natives to get to the gorgeous city of the gold that he had heard the tales.” In his earlier expeditions, Cortes appears to be much calmer. However, on hearing of the existence of the rich city with gold for exploration, there is a change in the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In February 2, 1848 a treaty was signed that treaty was signed in Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, that treaty was then called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was a peace treaty to gain peace between Mexico and the United States, the U.S. and Mexico had been having some problems between each other like wars and a lot of bad things. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American war(war between the U.S. and Mexico!) This treaty would forever change the way that the Mexicans and the Americans would look at each other. Before the treaty started Mexico was having some government problems, Santa Anna(Mexico’s president) was elected in 1833.…

    • 987 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After proving himself, although he had cruel ways in some instances, he became Cortés's assistant and right hand man He was put in charge of Tenoctitlán, which is now called Mexico City, when Cortés had to go fight off Pánfilo de Narváez . While he was left in charge, the Aztecs were having a festival. He didn't want them to revolt, so he sent his men to start the fight instead. Thousands of unarmed and harmless people were killed that night. The Aztecs were mad because many of their nobles and chiefs were killed, and their things were stolen.…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Columbian Exchange Dbq

    • 1599 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Here he came into contact with a friendly group of indigenous people- who which had given him the valuable information of the enemies and opponents of the Aztec emperor, Montezuma (Documenting Latin America, 21). Upon meeting with the cacique (or leader), they had begun to air out their thoughts on the rule of Montezuma, having said that “their complaints gave vent to such tears and sighs that Cortés and the rest of us were moved to pity” (Documenting Latin America, 22). Considering that just the presence of Aztec tax-gathers had been enough to make them “tremble with fear” (Documenting Latin America, 22), yet were able to so easily obey Cortés’ orders to arrest them, it made it clear that the Cempoalan people had trust in Cortés’ leadership, as well in the military strength of the Spanish. It had been very well known that by going against Montezuma through this action would bring “death and destruction” upon them, yet they were able to put their full trust in Cortés’ reassurance, and as a result, allied with him in defeating the Mexica Empire. The Cempoalan people were the first step in obtaining strong alliances that would lead to their…

    • 1599 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Aztec DBQ

    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hernan Cortes first encountered towns on the outskirts of the empire and promised them liberation from the Aztecs, “These Amerinds believed Cortes’ promise of liberation from Aztec dominance…” (Judge and Langdon 405). When they finally saw the capital, they were completely shocked by the size and scheme of it (Document 18.1). They were greeted as welcomed guests and were brought into the city. Cortes thought they were in danger and rightly so, “the Aztec military elite pressed for the destruction of the strangers…”…

    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the early fifteen hundred’s a Spanish expedition was sent on a mission to conquer Mexico, and consisted of approximately a dozen ships. Hernán Cortés was one of the most accomplished of the conquistadors in the sixteenth century, and also known throughout the world as the man who defeated the Aztec Empire. By overthrowing the Aztec Empire and their emperor, Moctezuma, Cortes conquered Mexico. Hernán Cortés was eternally known as a man who was rather bold and valiant in his leadership of his soldiers.…

    • 252 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    So people were willing to go over to the Americas in search of easy riches like Cortes did. Nobody got as lucky as him and the only person to come close was Francisco…

    • 1367 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hernando de Soto was born in Province of Badajoz, Spain in the 1500’s. He was born in a poor family and had three siblings. Juan Mendez de Soto, Catalina de Soto and Maria de Soto. When de Soto was younger one thing that he wanted to do is make a automobile. Hernando de Soto was sponsored by the king of Spain.…

    • 333 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Aztec Dbq

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hernan Cortes was a Spanish explorer conqueror who ventured to the city to Veracruz and into Tenochtitlan, the Aztec empire’s capital. After forming alliances with the enemies of the Aztec empire, he took advantage of Aztec’s weaknesses and conquered the capital in 1521 (Spanish). Artifact 9 shows an event in Spanish conquest where the Spanish, along with their allies, punished an Aztec tribe for hanging a Spaniard (Mexico). Hernan Cortes thought that the Aztecs were barbarians because of their human sacrifice rituals and decided to capture Montezuma, ruler of Tenochtitlan. Through battle, even though Montezuma was killed, the Spaniards were greatly outnumbered, so the Aztecs were able to keep their land, even though Spanish conqueror Cortes escaped.…

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hernando de Soto “Glory be to God, who by His goodness has directed all.” A quote from a letter written by Hernando de Soto (Letter to Justice and Board of Magistrates in Santiago de Cuba, 3). God guided his entire life. Much progress in America’s history was made during de Soto’s early life, conquests in Central America, and expeditions in the New World.…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    but he managed everything in an order and the people of this city were happy to their order. Thus, it was so surprising to Cortes he never saw a ruler like him in Europe. That’s why he mentioned him in his letters to…

    • 967 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Selena Quintanilla Essay

    • 1148 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Selena Quintanilla: Queen of Tejano "Neither of us knew that Yolanda had returned to the same gun shop in San Antonio a few days before this, where she repurchased the exact snub-nosed Taurus 45 revolver that she had bought before." Selena Quintanilla-Perez was a well-known Tejano pop singer all around the world; having sold several of her albums in English and Spanish, expanding her legacy throughout the years. Not only was she a star however, but also wanted to become a fashion designer, so she had two boutiques owned in her name as well as a fan clubs. Despite her death at the very young age of twenty-three, she left a huge impingement upon worldwide.…

    • 1148 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica in the sixteenth century has been one of their most renowned victories. However, with a review of Restall’s work, as well as a closer look into the help that the Spanish had, reveals that the success of the Spanish was not merely their own. The Spaniards’ and natives’ common political goals, the natives’ army strength, knowledge of the land and the sharing of battle strategies and resources made the native allies a key asset to the conquest. The success of the Spanish conquest was largely dependent on the military support they received from their native allies; the Tlaxcalans especially, along with other native contributors, such as the Teocalhueycan and the Tepaneca.…

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Trailblazers: The Success of the Spanish Colonies The fate of global civilization was radically changed when Christopher Columbus embarked for the New World in 1492, launching the leading European powers into a race for colonization and exploration. During this time, each country achieved varying degrees of success by employing different tactics to best conquer the uncharted territory of the Americas; for example, the French exploited the trade of beaver pelts to obtain territory and economic success (Kennedy & Cohen 99). Many of these European colonies grew into flourishing cities and centers of culture and newfound traditions. However, especially in the case of the Spanish conquest, each colony faced adversity when interacting with the indigenous…

    • 1115 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jose Antonio Navarro Essay

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Texas is a vastly populated state in the United State and many types of culture, race, and religion grow within the state. There has been many important events and fascinating history that has occurred on the Texas soil. Many great Americans had contributed in establishing a tremendous state while making history. Therefore, while there are numerous amount of significant heroes and contributors, José Antonio Navarro had demonstrated an achievement for the state of Texas, which constructed the culture and view of the state of Texas differently for the future generation. José Antonio Navarro was born in Bexar, which soon became San Antonio, on February 27, 1795.…

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Spanish Colonization Essay

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Spanish exploration of America brought many new foods, types of plants, and forms of wealth to the European world. The wealth brought to Spain from the Americas came at a cost that was paid for by the enslavement and the sufferings of Native Americans and eventually the Africans. The Spanish colonization from 1492 to 1700 was motivated by religious conversion of all peoples in America and the desire for wealth and profit that had a significant impact on the lives of Native Americans and Africans. First, colonization by the Spanish was motivated by religious conversion. Columbus first “discovered” America in 1492.…

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays