How long did hernando cortes live

In , he set off to explore Mexico. He came from a lesser noble family in Spain. Some reports indicate that he studied at the University of Salamanca for a time.

He traveled to the island of Santo Domingo, or Hispaniola. In February , the expedition reached the Mexican coast. This brazen decision eliminated the possibility of any retreat. He fought Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors and then set his sights on taking over the Aztec empire. They also gave him gifts in the form of 20 women. According to some accounts, he sunk all but one of his ships before sending the intact one back to Spain.

There would be no retreat for his men, only conquest. By the time he arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs had come to rule over small states and some 5 to 6 million people. He used deadly force to conquer Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on the ultimate prize: taking over the Aztec Empire. He left 80 Spanish soldiers and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs under the command of Pedro de Alvarado to hold Tenochtitlan until he returned.

The enraged Aztec forces eventually drove his forces from the city. During the Spanish retreat , Montezuma was killed and much of the plunder the Spanish had taken was lost.

His forces defeated the Aztecs in Battle of Otumba on July 7, , and he regained control of Tenochtitlan by August 13, The Aztec Empire had fallen. He sent more expeditions out into new areas, including what is present-day Honduras. He died in Spain in But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. The story of North American exploration spans an entire millennium and involves a wide array of European powers and uniquely American characters.

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