Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who is best known for leading the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. He was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain, and came from a noble family. Cortes was educated in law but decided to pursue a career in the military.
In 1519, Cortes led an expedition to Mexico with the goal of exploring and establishing colonies. He landed on the Yucatan Peninsula and founded the town of Veracruz. Despite facing challenges from the indigenous people and political rivals, Cortes continued his march into the interior of Mexico, eventually reaching the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.
Upon reaching Tenochtitlan, Cortes and his men were initially welcomed by the Aztec ruler Montezuma II, who believed that Cortes might be the god Quetzalcoatl returning as prophesied. However, tensions soon arose, leading to conflict between the Spanish and the Aztecs. Cortes, with the help of indigenous allies who were enemies of the Aztecs, ultimately defeated the Aztec Empire in 1521, marking the end of their rule in Mesoamerica.
Cortes' conquest of the Aztec Empire had a profound impact on the history and culture of the Americas. The Spanish colonization of Mexico led to the destruction of the Aztec civilization and the establishment of New Spain. Cortes is a controversial figure, viewed as a hero by some and a brutal conqueror by others.