User:Aholt/sandbox Herman Cortex

Herman Cortez was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec empire.

Personal Information
Herman Cortez was born in Medellin, Spain in the year 1485. He died in 1547.

Journeys and Explorations
Cortez travelled to Cuba to help Diego Velázquez conquer the island. Velázquez put Cortez in charge of an expedition to Mexico because is was thought that there was lots of treasure there. When he got there he found the Aztec people and their leader Montezuma II. Montezuma thought Cortez was a god because of an ancient Aztec prophecy. Montezuma welcomed Cortez but later they fell out. Cortez captured Montezuma to stop the Aztecs attacking him.

Velázquez sent an army to capture Cortez. The Aztecs fought against the Cortez and his men and drove them out. Many of Cortez's men were killed.

Cortez returned a year later and took control of the area after a three month siege. Mexico City was built on the ruins of the battle and it was colonised by the Spanish. Cortez became governor of Mexico.

Discoveries
Cortez was made to return to Spain where he was captain general but he had less power than he used to. Cortez continued to explore and discovered California.