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Hernan Cortes was born around 1485. It is unknown what the actual date was. His real name is, Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano. (picture shows Hernan Cortes as a kid)
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Hernan set sail for the first time in 1504, which would make him 19 years old. Later after that, he went on an expedition to Cuba. Then in 1518, he set sail to Mexico. That would make Cortes, 33 years.
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In 1519, they reached the Mexican coast. He became allies with some Native American’s, but then with the others, he conquered them. He fought the Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors and getting ready for the Aztec Empire. (picture shows the Tlaxacan warriors)
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He marched to Tenochtitlán in 1520 and went to the Aztec’s capital city. It was home to Montezuma ll, who was taken hostage so Cortes’s soldiers could raid the city. Hernan left the city once he heard that he was going to get arrested by Spanish troops because he didn’t follow orders. Eventually, the Aztecs shooed away the Spanish. But in 1521, Cortes returned and defeated them. Then they claimed the city.
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The following year in 1522, King Charles l of Spain made Cortes the governor of New Spain. He then in 1524, helped develop farms through New Spain and Mexico. Then spread Christianity around the whole land.
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In 1527, the King of Spain ordered other rulers to go to New Spain. The king did that so they could aid Cortes. But then they ended up getting sick and died. Everyone thought that Hernan poisoned them. (picture shows poison)
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In 1528, Hernan Cortes returned to Spain to prove his innocence to King Charles l. Then in 1530, Hernan returned to Mexico with no charges. But was removed from being governor.
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In 1534, Cortes left to explore North America and discovered Baja, California. He discovered some of the physical features there. One of the features he discovered was the Baja California Penisula.
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1541, Cortes retires in Spain. He retired in an atmosphere of disdain and neglect. He had a big ceremony. (picture shows Hernan Cortes in a fancy suit)
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On December 2nd, 1547 Hernan died. He was in his 60’s. The had a big funeral for him. They even made a nice grave for him. "I and my companions suffer from a disease of the heart which can be cured only with gold" ~Hernan Cortes (the picture shows Hernan Cortes’s grave)
