-
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.