Who killed the Aztecs?
Spanish conquistadores commanded by Hernán Cortés allied with local tribes to conquer the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán. Cortés’s army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city.
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. Its cause, however, has been questioned for nearly 500 years.
What did Hernán Cortés discover?
Cortés explored the northern part of Mexico and discovered Baja California for Spain in the latter 1530s. In 1540, he retired to Spain and spent much of his last years seeking recognition and rewards for his achievements.
What did Hernán Cortés do wrong?
He Undermined Aztec Religion Upon his arrival in Tenochtitlan, he immediately began his attempt to convert Aztecs to Christianity. With Moctezuma as his prisoner, Cortés transformed him into his political puppet. He forced Moctezuma to replace statues of Aztec gods in the city’s temple with the Virgin Mary and St.
What is Cortés famous quote?
“I love to travel, but hate to arrive.” “He travels safest in the dark night who travels lightest.” “Better to die with honor than live dishonored.”
What is Cortes famous quote?
Was Hernan Cortes a good leader?
His health improved and he trained as a soldier, taking part in the subjugation of the parts of Hispaniola that had held out against the Spanish. He became known as a good leader, an intelligent administrator, and a ruthless fighter.
Who sponsored Hernán Cortés?
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. As a reward, King Charles I appointed him governor of New Spain in 1522.
Who discovered Mexico first?
February 1517 Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, the first European to visit Mexican territory, arrives in the Yucatán from Cuba with three ships and about 100 men.