HERNANDO CORTEZ 

Hernando Cortez was a Spanish conqueror of Mexico, which was just one part of his legacy.  However, the most important part of his legacy was his power and role in wiping out the Aztec Empire.  Born in 1485, Cortez was born and raised in Medellin, Extremadura.  Coming from a family of small nobility, he attended the University of Salamanca in 1499 at the age of 14.  During his time there, he studies law.  However, just two years later, he quit, drifting away from his original plan. 

In 1504, Cortez decided to set sail for the New World, specifically today’s Dominican Republic.  Again, in 1511, his plans changed when he joined the army under the leadership of Diego Velazquez, playing a role in the conquest of Cuba.  In fact, Cortez would eventually become the governor of Cuba, even being elected Mayor and Judge of Santiago. 

Seven years later, Juan de Grijavlva made a discovery – Mexico.  With some persuasion, Cortez convinced Velazquez to let him take command over an expedition that would help establish a colony in Mexico.  However, with Cortez’s intentions being brought under question, the expedition was cancelled.  Then in the early part of 1519, backed with 600 men and about 20 horses, Cortez finally sailed to Mexico.  On his way, he sailed up the coast of the Yucatan, finally landing in Mexico in the following month. 

Once there, the town of Tabasco was suppressed, the same location where Cortez would soon meet Malinche, his mistress.  In fact, Malinche became his interpreter and guide.  With exploration, Cortez found an even better harbor just to the south of San Juan.  With a few men, he sailed there, establishing La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, a small and charming town.  Then, to stop any thought of retreat, he ordered the ships to be burned. 

After establishing Vera Cruz, word reached Cortez about the Aztec Empire.  Very soon after, he and his troops marched inland, forcing an alliance with the Tlaxcala Indians.  Interestingly, Cortez began to impersonate Quetzalcoatl, the ancient god of the Aztecs believed to return one day.  Then in the late fall of 1519, the Aztec king, Montezuma II, was not able to organize resistance.  In addition, he failed to be suspicious or curious, which led to Cortez and his men forcing their way into Tenochtitlan, which was the Aztec capital.  Once inside, Cortez set up headquarters. 

To maintain his position of power, Cortez took King Montezuma captive, forcing him to another alliance with the King of Spain, Charles V.  Learning that Velasques had sent 1,400 soldiers to arrest Cortez, he forced his men to move to the coast where they would do battle.  Capturing them by surprise, Cortez was able to convince the attacking soldiers not to arrest him but to join them. 

When Cortez returned to the capital, he and his men were attacked by thousands of warriors, which led to the slaughter of some 600 Aztec nobles.  Cortez was not present when this occurred but to help calm the Aztec people down, he brought King Montezuma out.  Instead of being able to calm things down, the people began throwing stones at the king who would later die from the inflicted wounds.  At this point, Cortez had no option but to retreat.  However, in 1521, Cortez returned to reap more havoc on Tenochtitlan.  In the summer of 1521, the empire fell but only because of a plague that caused the death of many Aztec people. 

Then in 1528, Cortez finally headed back home to Spain where upon arrival, he was given a prestigious title of Marques del Valle de Oaxaca.  Furthering his legacy, after coming back to the New World, Cortez spent time until 1534 exploring California.  In 1541, he fought against the Pirates of Algiers and then later that year in the New World, he led a force against the Mayan people.  However, Cortez would eventually die in the winter of 1547.