Hernan Cortes leading Spanish conquest from "summary" of The Conquest of Mexico by William Hickling Prescott
Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador, was the driving force behind the conquest of Mexico in the 16th century. With a small army of men, Cortes set out to conquer the powerful Aztec Empire, led by Emperor Montezuma. Despite being vastly outnumbered and facing numerous challenges, Cortes was determined to succeed in his mission. Cortes and his men arrived on the shores of Mexico in 1519, landing at the city of Veracruz. From there, they began their march towards the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, facing resistance from various indigenous tribes along the way. Despite these obstacles, Cortes was able to forge alliances with some of these tribes, gaining valuable support for his campaign. As Cortes and his army approached Tenochtitlan, they were met by Emperor Montezuma himself, who welcomed them into the city. However, tensions soon arose between the Spanish and the Aztecs, leading to a violent confrontation that resulted in Montezuma's death. With the emperor out of the way, Cortes took control of the city and declared himself ruler of the Aztec Empire. Despite facing resistance from the remaining Aztec forces, Cortes was able to maintain his hold on Tenochtitlan through a combination of military prowess and political cunning. He established a new government in the city, bringing it under Spanish control and laying the foundation for the colonization of Mexico. Through his leadership and strategic thinking, Cortes was able to achieve what many thought was impossible - the conquest of the powerful Aztec Empire. His actions in Mexico would have far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of history in the New World for years to come.
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