After Conquering

The Aztecs

After his victory over the Aztecs, Corts faced challenges to his authority and position. He traveled to Honduras in 1524 to stop a rebellion against him in the area. Back in Mexico, Corts found himself remove from power. He travelled to Spain to plead his case to the king, but he was not reappointed to his governorship.

In 1540, Corts retired to Spain. He spent much of his later years seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Spanish royal court. Corts died in Spain in 1547.

Fun Fact:

Hernan Corts Monory Pizarro Altamirano died in Castillejia de la Cuesta, Spain, on Dec 2nd 1547. Although he was buried in the local church, for over 400 years the remains of the spanish conqueror wandered between Spain and Mexico, being buried and exhumed nine times.

Why Corts was successful conquering the Aztecs

Corts only had 508 men, yet he was able to conquer millions of Aztecs on their own land. One of the reasons for this was the diseases smallpox, measles, mumps, and typhus. This killed natives very fast because they had no immunity to the illnesses. Corts also had help from natives because he was disgusted with the way they sacrificed humans as were the natives. Translators were also very important, mainly Marina who was a gift from the Tabascans after a short warring period. She knew tons of different languages from all of the local areas and was extremely helpful. The Aztecs thought that Cortes was their god Quetzalcoatl, which made the people confused which gave Corts time to act. Also, the Spaniards weapons were better than the natives because they had guns and armor.

Accomplishments

Conquered the Aztecs

Attended University of Salamanca in Spain which was a well known and respected school at the time at age 14 and received the best education of the time.

Conquered Tenochtitln.

Created mines and farms for more exports.

Discovers Peninsula of California.

Was govenor of Mexico after the Aztecs were conquered.

Hernn Corts and the Aztecs

By: Tatum, Jaden, Sydney, and Claire

Early Life

Hernndo Corts Pizarro, more commonly known as Hernn Corts, was born in 1485 in the Kingdom of Castile, in the city of Medelln. He was born to an upper class family, and was a somewhat sickly child. When he was fourteen, his parents sent him off to the University of Salamanca to study law. Hernn though very smart did not enjoy school. After two years (at which he was failing his course) he returned home, but was not satisfied there either. Stories began to spread about a mysterious place called the New World, Hernn wanted to be a part of it. After a long period of not doing much, he decided to become a soldier, and joined an expedition to the New World, but he never made it on board. The reason for this, is he was involved with a local girl, and one night he was climbing to get to her apartment, and the wall gave way, he broke many bones and was stuck in bed for many months. This tragedy might have been the best thing to happen, for if he could have went on that ship, he might not would have been one of the greatest explorers of all time.

Hernan Lands in Mexico

In 1518, Corts expedition to Mexico began. Spanish conquistador, Diego Velsquez tried to cancel this trip, but Hernn Corts set sail with 500 men and 11 ships anyway. Almost a year later in February 1519, he reached the Mexican coast at Yucatan.

Corts Overpowers Natives

Corts overpowered natives territory right away in Tabasco. There, the natives gave them food, supplies, and 20 women. One of these women was an interpreter named Malintzin that became Corts mistress, giving birth to his son named Martin.

Corts Prepares To Conquer Aztecs

A few months after being in Tabasco, he set sail for the west, finding Veracruz. He disciplined his men and trained them to be like soldiers.

Corts Conquers the Aztecs

Hernn found out that the Aztecs are a key source in Mexico. Because of this, Hernn sets out to rule them. On his way to dictate, he find the Tlaxcalans, enemies of the Aztecs. These natives became allies to Corts and his men when Corts blockades Tenochtitln militarily. Corts acted friendly to the Aztecs, as their leader, Montezuma ll meets the conquistador. While Corts took Montezuma hostage, the Spanish soldiers and the Tlaxcalans sacked Tenochtitln. Corts started to ruled through Montezuma. A spanish force from Cuba, eventually arrived on the Mexican coast led by Diego Velsquez himself. Corts went to these men and conquered them. But, when they got back to the Aztecs, The had a full rebellion. Luckily for Corts, a man from Cuba brought the smallpox to one of Corts men. The disease was spread like wildfire to the Aztecs and the city fell.