Hernando Cortes Returns!
What did he explore and what information did he bring back?
Who was Hernando Cortes?
Hernando Cortes (1485~1547) was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain. He was a Spanish explorer that explored Central America, also known as Mexico in 1518 and claimed land for Spain. Hernando started exploring at the age of 19, and wanted to set up an empire for himself in Mexico.
Cortés' Early Life
Before Cortes became an explorer, many think that he studied at the University of Salamanca. In 1504, he left Spain to seek gold and fortune in the New World.
Cortés' Trip to the Caribbean
On his trip to the Caribbean, Cortes brought 40 men or soldiers. He went on the trip on a ship called "Caravel". When he got there, he made an empire but before he could do that, he had to defeat the Aztec Empire.
Why did he go?
Hernando Cortes was sponsored by Diego Velazquez (Spanish origin) to go explore Mexico and claim land. But he disobeyed him and tried to make an empire for himself. He also went because he was curious and wanted to seek gold.
Where did he go?
Hernando Cortes explored Central America, also known as Mexico and the countries around it. He was sent from Cuba as a soldier to claim land. But when he got there, Cortes disobeyed Diego Velazquez and tried to make a empire for himself. He defeated the Aztec empire and started to make a empire for himself. About a year after the defeat, Cortes was sent back to Spain because he was too powerful. In 1530, he returned to New Spain (Mexico) and discovered present-day lower California. He returned to Spain and joined the Spanish military. In 1547, Cortes planned to go back to New Spain, but he never made it back. On December 2, 1547, Hernando Cortes died in Spain with pleurisy.