Spanish Explorers
Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition
that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of
what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Spain in the
early 16th century. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish
explorers and conquistadors who began the first phase of the Spanish
colonization of the Americas.
Conquest of Mexico (1519–1521)
In 1518, Cortés was in command of an expedition to explore and secure Mexico
for colonization. Accompanied by about 11 ships, 500 men, 13 horses, and a small
number of cannons, Cortés landed on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mayan territory.
Cortés's military experience was almost nonexistent, but he proved to be an
effective leader of his small army and won early victories over the coastal Natives. In
March 1519, Cortés formally claimed the land for the Spanish crown. Then he
proceeded to Tabasco, where he met with resistance and won a battle against the
natives and he converted them all to Christianity. A Native woman, La Malinche knew
both the Nahuatl language and Chontal Maya, thus enabling Cortés to communicate
with the Aztecs.
March on Tenochtitlán
Leaving a hundred men in Veracruz, Cortés marched on Tenochtitlán, the capital
of the Aztec Empire, in mid-August 1519, along with 600 soldiers, 15 horsemen, 15
cannons, and hundreds of indigenous carriers and warriors. On the way to Tenochtitlán,
Cortés made alliances with indigenous peoples.
Cortez & La Malinche
Cortés and La Malinche met Moctezuma in Tenochtitlán, November 8, 1519. They were
peacefully received by Moctezuma II. Moctezuma gave lavish gifts of gold to the
Spaniards which, rather than calming them, excited their ambitions for treasure.
Destruction of Tenochtitlán
With the assistance of their allies, Cortés's men finally prevailed (won) with
reinforcements arriving from Cuba. Cortés began a policy of attrition towards
Tenochtitlán, cutting off supplies and subduing the Aztecs' allied cities. During the siege
he would construct small ships in the lake and slowly destroy blocks of the city to avoid
fighting in an urban setting. After many battles in the larger cities of the Aztec Empire,
was captured, and Cortés was able to claim it for Spain, thus renaming the city Mexico
City. From 1521 to 1524, Cortés personally governed Mexico.
Title: Spanish Explorers- Hernán Cortés
Main Ideas/Key Terms Notes
Hernán Cortés What country was Cortés from?
What empire did he conquer?
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Where was the expedition going?
Conquest of Mexico
(1519–1521)
What was their purpose?
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March on Tenochtitlán
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Cortez & La Malinche
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Destruction of ●
Tenochtitlán
Who was in charge of Mexico?