Table of Contents
What was the main goal of Hernando Cortes?
In 1518, he set off to explore Mexico. Cortés strategically aligned some Indigenous peoples against others and eventually overthrew the vast and powerful Aztec empire.
What was Hernan Cortes voyage route?
Hernan Cortes took an overland route from Veracruz, on the eastern coast of Mexico, to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, located in modern-day Mexico City. He famously burned his ships at Veracruz to show that the only way forward was to victory over the Aztecs: there would be no going home any other way.
Who was Hernan Cortes and what did he do?
Hernán Cortés, in full Hernán Cortés, marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, also called Hernando Cortés or Fernando Cortés, Cortés also spelled Cortéz, (born 1485, Medellín, near Mérida, Extremadura, Castile [Spain]—died December 2, 1547, Castilleja de la Cuesta, near Sevilla), Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec …
What was the impact of Hernan Cortes voyage?
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.
Why did Spain want to conquer the Aztecs?
Why might Cortes have wanted to conquer the Aztec? Cortes might have wanted to conquer the Aztec because he wanted gold, silver, to convert them to Christianity, glory, and greed. The advantages that the Spanish had over the Aztec were 16 horses, guns, armor, formed alliances, and diseases, steel.
How many Aztecs were killed by the Spanish?
Within five years as many as 15 million people – an estimated 80% of the population – were wiped out in an epidemic the locals named “cocoliztli”. The word means pestilence in the Aztec Nahuatl language.
What did Hernán Cortés hope to find in Mexico?
Hernán believed the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán was wealthy in gold and other riches; he is responsible for the fall of the Aztec empire, and was able to take down the capital with just a military squad.
Why did Cortes want to conquer the Aztecs?
Cortes might have wanted to conquer the Aztec because he wanted gold, silver, to convert them to Christianity, glory, and greed. The advantages that the Spanish had over the Aztec were 16 horses, guns, armor, formed alliances, and diseases, steel.
Was Cortés a hero or villain?
Interpretation 1: Cortes was a villain. He was a vicious gangster who crushed the noble Aztec civilisation. Interpretation 2: Cortes was a hero. He was a brave explorer who brought civilisation to the barbaric Aztecs.
Why is Cortes important today?
Cortés was, nevertheless, important in his reshaping of the world. “Cortés’ victory secured new and profitable land and opportunities for the Spanish monarch. He helped oversee the building of Mexico City, which is still Mexico’s capital today,” said Cosme.
What was a major reason for the end of the Aztec Empire?
Lacking food and ravaged by smallpox disease earlier introduced by one of the Spaniards, the Aztecs, now led by Cuauhtemoc, finally collapsed after 93 days of resistance on the fateful day of 13th of August, 1521 CE.
How did Cortes defeat the Aztecs quizlet?
Hernan Cortes was able to conquer the Aztec Empire by scaring the natives with the 16 horses, gaining alliances with the other enemies of the Aztec, having superior and better weapons than the natives (like guns), having armor, and having steel.