As conqueror of the Aztec Empire in Mexico, explorer of Guatemala and Honduras, and leader of the first expeditions to California, Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortés contributed significantly to the establishment of European domination in America. More particularly we see his contribution to Spanish prominence in both Central and South America. His conquests helped shape the origins and history of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Spaniards initially occupied the New World in order to secure commercial networks and ensure a steady flow of goods back across the Atlantic. However, Cortes’ conquests would act as a precedent to a regional dominance over an entire continent. Cortes also played a major role in the eradication of Aztec
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Starting in the 14th century, they adapted to the lands of central Mexico and gained power through alliances with the kingdoms already established around Lake Texcoco, eventually developing their own Empire. The indigenous populations of central Mexico attained an advanced level of knowledge in such areas as astronomy, architecture, painting, agricultural methods, literature, and philosophy. This was much more advanced than the European explorers such as Cortes would’ve expected. In the middle of the 15th century, the Aztec emperors began to seek tribute from other areas of Mexico. They also sent out colonists to spread their culture. Living off their tribute from smaller tribal villages and their very productive system of agriculture beyond its time, the Aztecs built the enormous, well-planned metropolis of Tenochtitlán. Several great Aztec emperors had succeeded in conquering much of central Mexico before a weaker ruler, Montezuma, came to power. Montezuma was not as strict or demanding of respect as his predecessors. Montezuma would prove to be very influential in the imminent downfall of the Aztec Empire due to his inaction when the Spanish first presented
Starting in the 14th century, they adapted to the lands of central Mexico and gained power through alliances with the kingdoms already established around Lake Texcoco, eventually developing their own Empire. The indigenous populations of central Mexico attained an advanced level of knowledge in such areas as astronomy, architecture, painting, agricultural methods, literature, and philosophy. This was much more advanced than the European explorers such as Cortes would’ve expected. In the middle of the 15th century, the Aztec emperors began to seek tribute from other areas of Mexico. They also sent out colonists to spread their culture. Living off their tribute from smaller tribal villages and their very productive system of agriculture beyond its time, the Aztecs built the enormous, well-planned metropolis of Tenochtitlán. Several great Aztec emperors had succeeded in conquering much of central Mexico before a weaker ruler, Montezuma, came to power. Montezuma was not as strict or demanding of respect as his predecessors. Montezuma would prove to be very influential in the imminent downfall of the Aztec Empire due to his inaction when the Spanish first presented