Click to enlarge image

First Encounters
Hernan Cortez

Cortez was a young, well educated Spaniard who took up the soldier’s profession in 1511.  Cortez, like many other well born Spaniards, made his way to the Caribbean.  Cortez arrived in Cuba and served under the Governor of the Island. Rumors of gold and riches and a great civilization across the sea, enticed Spaniards into further exploration.  In 1519, Cortez set sail from Cuba with 11 boats, 600 men, 15 horses and a few cannon.  He landed at present day Vera Cruz and proceeded inland with his force.  He scuttled his ships so that there would be no thought of turning back.  Cortez fought and then befriended the Tlaxtecans, who with many other tribes, hated the ruling Aztecs.  With the assistance of these other natives, a long, grueling, bloody and cruel campaign took place to conquer the great city of Tenochtitlan and defeat the Aztec empire.  In 1521, the last Aztec emperor, his people broken by famine and disease, surrendered to the Spanish.  The Spanish crown appointed Cortez as the first Governor General of “New Spain of the Ocean Sea”.

Image of Hernan Cortez
Credit:  Spain in the Americas.Map-National Geographic Society

Educational Resources Cultural Encounters "First Encounters Timeline" "Leagues Across the Seas" "Leagues Across the Seas Math Worksheet"