Hernan Cortes' Timeline

By Benjamin Coronado
  • 1485

    Hernan Cortes is born

    Hernan Cortes was born in Spain.
  • 1499

    Hernan goes away to study

    Hernan was sent away to get a higher education. Historians believe he studied Latin and law.
  • 1504

    A voyage to the New World

    Hernan decided to sail to the New World and make a life for himself there. He sailed to what is now Haiti.
  • 1506

    The Spanish take Cuba

    Cortes worked with the governor of Hispaniola, who took Cortes on a conquest of Cuba. Cortes was rewarded with land and slaves
  • 1511

    Hernan is promoted in Cuba

    Diego Valasquez became the governor of Cuba. He made Cortes one of his top officials.
  • 1518

    Hernan Cortes is sent to Mexico

    Diego Valasquez named Cortes the captain of an expedition to Mexico. After a fight, though, he revoked Cortes' status.
  • 1519

    Cortes goes against the governor

    Cortes went against Valasquez's wishes and sailed on to Mexico against orders.
  • 1519

    Cortes took over Veracruz

    Cortes sailed into Veracruz and took it by force. He tried to meet with Montezuma, the Aztec king, but Montezuma refused.
  • 1519

    Cortes takes Montezuma hostage

    The Aztec people tried to appease Cortes by giving him gold and other treasures. Cortes didn't trust the people, though, and he took Montezuma hostage.
  • 1519

    Cortes is named governor of "New Spain"

    With the conquest of the land, King Charles V of Spain named Cortes the governor of New Spain.
  • 1520

    A fight with the governor of Cuba

    Valasquez sent men to go to war with Cortes in Mexico. Cortes' men came out the winners.
  • 1520

    Cortes kills Montezuma

    When Montezuma couldn't get the Aztecs to accept Cortes as their leader, Cortes had Montezuma killed.
  • 1521

    Cortes takes over the Aztec Empire

    With Montezuma dead, Cortes took over the Aztec's capital city. It was the end of the Aztec Empire.
  • 1524

    Cortes develops the land

    Cortes worked to develop farms throughout New Spain, or Mexico. He also helped spread Christianity.
  • 1527

    Cortes is accused of poisoning his enemies

    The king of Spain sent other rulers to New Spain to aid Cortes. When they became sick, others accused Cortes of poisoning them.
  • 1528

    Cortes returns to Spain

    Cortes had to return to Spain to prove his innocence to the King.
  • 1530

    Cortes returned to Mexico

    Cortes was freed from the charges and returned to Mexico, although the king had demoted him from governor.
  • 1567

    Cortes dies

    Hernan Cortes died at the age of 62. In his later life he was mostly ignored and barely respected. He left a legacy of a great explorer, but also of a man full of greed.