1. Early Life:
- Cortés was born between 1485 and 1488 in Medellín, Spain, to a modest family.
2. Education and Career:
- He received basic education but did not pursue higher studies.
- Prior to his venture to the New World, Cortés worked as a notary.
3. Arrival in the Americas:
- In 1504, Cortés sailed to Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic and Haiti) seeking fortune and adventure.
- He later joined expeditions exploring Cuba and other Caribbean islands.
4. Expedition to Mexico:
- In 1519, Cortés led an expedition to Mexico with a fleet of ships and a small force of soldiers.
5. Conquest of Tenochtitlan:
- Cortés allied himself with native groups who resented Aztec rule and led a campaign against the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.
- After intense battles and sieges, Tenochtitlan fell to Cortés in 1521, marking a significant turning point in the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
6. Founding of Mexico City:
- On the ruins of Tenochtitlan, Cortés established Mexico City, the capital of the newly conquered region, which became known as New Spain.
7. Moctezuma:
- Moctezuma II, the Aztec emperor, was initially held captive by Cortés but later died under mysterious circumstances.
8. La Malinche:
- Cortés had an interpreter and advisor named La Malinche (Malintzin), a native woman who played a crucial role in his conquests.
9. Spread of European Diseases:
- The arrival of Europeans brought diseases such as smallpox and measles, which devastated the native populations in the Americas.
10. Exploration of the Pacific Ocean:
- Cortés also organized expeditions that explored the Pacific Ocean and discovered new territories in the region.
11. Later Life and Death:
- After returning to Spain, Cortés was recognized for his achievements but faced legal challenges and disputes.
- He published an account of his conquest in a book titled "Cartas de Relación."
- Cortés died in Spain in 1547.
12. Legacy:
- Cortés' conquest of Mexico had profound impacts on the indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and led to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in the region.
- His campaigns reshaped the political, cultural, and social landscapes of Mexico.