How Did Hernando Cortés
Change the World?
By Jack McCain
6PA - 601 November 11, 2016 Hernando Cortés was a skilled Spanish explorer. Born in Medellin, Spain in 1485, Cortés was the son of Martín Cortés de Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. He studied at Salamanca which was located in west central Spain. Cortés was a hard worker, which later helped him on his voyages sponsored by Charles V, the Spanish king. In 1504, when Cortés was only 19, he set sail for the “New World,” or Americas, and landed in Mexico. Although he did have a reputation of greed, Cortés´s intelligence helped him to become one of the best Spanish explorers. Hernan Cortés changed the world by conquering and sailing to Cuba, discovering the peninsula of California, …show more content…
He was sponsored by the King and accompanied by Diego Velazquez. When Cortés arrived, he immediately was considered impressive to the colony. He soon took responsibility as treasurer and made sure that the King received the customary one-fifth of the profits from the gold and slaves. According to his letters, he hated giving these riches away. As he wrote, “We Spaniards know a sickness of the heart that only gold can cure” (Letters from Hernan Cortes). This quote is important because it explains the greed of Spaniards and how they are very much satisfied with gold and riches. Their greed was shown months later, when Cortés and Juan de Grijalva began an expedition to establish a colony filled with gold and silver. This journey made Velazquez’s jealousy for Cortés increase, and their strong relationship began to fade. At this time, Velazquez had complete power over Cortés, and he unjustly fired him as the Mayor of Santiago, a town in Cuba. Cortés sailed back to Europe, feeling accomplished despite Diego Velazquez’s unfair decisions. When he arrived there, Charles V was pleased with the profits Cortés had made for him. Cortés´s achievement benefited Spain by making it more resourceful and …show more content…
“Hernán Cortés: Conqueror of the Aztecs.” LiveScience. TechMedia Network.
August 28, 2013 Web. November 22, 2016.
Lilley, Stephen. The Importance of Hernando Cortes. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1996. Print.
History.com Staff. "Hernan Cortes - Exploration" History.com. A&E Television Networks. 2009. Web. November 22, 2016.
Streissguth, Thomas. The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica,
2002.
History.com Staff. "Baja California." History.com. A&E Television Networks. 2009. Web.
November 22, 2016.
"Letters from Hernán Cortés." Letters from Hernán Cortés. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
“Hernán Cortés - Military Leader, Explorer” Biography.com. A&E Networks Television. July 8,
2014. Web. November 22, 2016.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Abby Freireich, my tutor, for helping with format and clarity. As well as Sarah McCain, my mother, for helping a little with sentence
Change the World?
By Jack McCain
6PA - 601 November 11, 2016 Hernando Cortés was a skilled Spanish explorer. Born in Medellin, Spain in 1485, Cortés was the son of Martín Cortés de Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. He studied at Salamanca which was located in west central Spain. Cortés was a hard worker, which later helped him on his voyages sponsored by Charles V, the Spanish king. In 1504, when Cortés was only 19, he set sail for the “New World,” or Americas, and landed in Mexico. Although he did have a reputation of greed, Cortés´s intelligence helped him to become one of the best Spanish explorers. Hernan Cortés changed the world by conquering and sailing to Cuba, discovering the peninsula of California, …show more content…
He was sponsored by the King and accompanied by Diego Velazquez. When Cortés arrived, he immediately was considered impressive to the colony. He soon took responsibility as treasurer and made sure that the King received the customary one-fifth of the profits from the gold and slaves. According to his letters, he hated giving these riches away. As he wrote, “We Spaniards know a sickness of the heart that only gold can cure” (Letters from Hernan Cortes). This quote is important because it explains the greed of Spaniards and how they are very much satisfied with gold and riches. Their greed was shown months later, when Cortés and Juan de Grijalva began an expedition to establish a colony filled with gold and silver. This journey made Velazquez’s jealousy for Cortés increase, and their strong relationship began to fade. At this time, Velazquez had complete power over Cortés, and he unjustly fired him as the Mayor of Santiago, a town in Cuba. Cortés sailed back to Europe, feeling accomplished despite Diego Velazquez’s unfair decisions. When he arrived there, Charles V was pleased with the profits Cortés had made for him. Cortés´s achievement benefited Spain by making it more resourceful and …show more content…
“Hernán Cortés: Conqueror of the Aztecs.” LiveScience. TechMedia Network.
August 28, 2013 Web. November 22, 2016.
Lilley, Stephen. The Importance of Hernando Cortes. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1996. Print.
History.com Staff. "Hernan Cortes - Exploration" History.com. A&E Television Networks. 2009. Web. November 22, 2016.
Streissguth, Thomas. The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica,
2002.
History.com Staff. "Baja California." History.com. A&E Television Networks. 2009. Web.
November 22, 2016.
"Letters from Hernán Cortés." Letters from Hernán Cortés. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
“Hernán Cortés - Military Leader, Explorer” Biography.com. A&E Networks Television. July 8,
2014. Web. November 22, 2016.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Abby Freireich, my tutor, for helping with format and clarity. As well as Sarah McCain, my mother, for helping a little with sentence