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Gary Goss

Anna Chiles

Humanities

13 December 2017

Hernan Cortes: A Ripple In The Waves Of Advancement

A conquistador. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word “Conquistador” as

“one that conquers; specifically : a leader in the Spanish conquest of America and especially of

Mexico and Peru in the 16th century”. One man who seems to ideally fit this definition as if it

was built around his legacy, is Hernan Cortes. Have you heard his name? Most likely not, but he

may one of the most important figures in all of human history and its advancement, fitting in

with names like Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo. Hernan Cortes was born in 1985 in

Medellin, Spain. He was born into a “not-so-wealthy” family, yet they still held a great amount

of honor. His family-forced career of law was not suiting to his desires, as he wanted to explore

the unknown; the world which has been unforeseen. Cortes built his reputation from the

conquering of Cuba and Mexico for the Spanish, making friends, and many enemies along his

journeys. Hernan was an ambitious man, who was eager to discover the unknown and discover

riches greater than man could fathom. His religion which he held so tightly to his heart was also

a contributing factor to his urging desire for exploration; aspiring to expose the planet to

Catholicism. By rebuilding a region to sustain a flourishing nation, Hernan Cortes contributed to

the greater advancement of the human race by toppling and rebuilding a destructive empire,

ensuring a stable society in which many cultures and nations later flourished from, and opening

up trade from the New to the Old World, which later would transform a global economy.
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Where the story begins is when Hernan Cortes toppled an advanced turned destructive

and inevitably collapsing empire; and it was not particularly appealing to the eye. The Aztec

Empire’s fall was virtually inevitable, as many societies. The extensively expanding Aztec

Empire did not bode well for many tribes within the surrounding areas, which the empire

conquered much of. The many tribes within and around the empire had grown tired of the

powerful regime of the Aztecs. At such an hour, this opened up room for Hernan Cortes to step

in and form alliances; as freedom was all the tribes had wished for, and Cortes was one step

closer to succeeding. As ancient.eu states about the Aztecs’ unpopularity, “The Conquistadores

immediately found willing local allies only too eager to help topple the brutal Aztec regime and

free themselves from the burden of tribute and the necessity of feeding the insatiable Aztec

appetite…” The imperial behavior of the Aztecs led to a strong wave anger and frustration,

which eventually turned their own people against the empire’s leadership. The Empire fell only a

few years after the arrival of Hernan Cortes and his men, and so easily due to cracks that are

conquered tribes. Through the tyrannical Aztec regime, much of the anger would have inevitably

caused a revolution. Hernan’s actions only pushed ahead what would have happened within the

next few decades to a few short years, ensuring the end of the empire once and for all. If such

revolt was successful without Cortes’ guidance, much of the empire would have been left in

shambles. A future would have been unknown and truly terrifying for many, but with the

guidance of Hernan Cortes and his men, the future of what was left of the empire was bright. As

aztec-history.com states, “Hernan Cortes from Spain arrived with his army in 1519, and in two

years after a 79 day siege had captured Tenochtitlan. The old Aztec city was mostly destroyed,

and was rebuilt by 1525.”

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After Cortes’ effort to rebuild the city on Tenochtitlan, new cultures were igniting out of

the reminiscence of the Aztec Empire. The thriving metropolis of Mexico City was built out of

the remains of Tenochtitlan, the centerpiece of the new nation of Mexico. What the lands of

California came to be until the acquisition by the United States truly shaped what has come to be

one of the largest economies on the planet. The United States, Mexico, and California would not

be where they were today without the leadership of Hernan Cortes, who brung the former Aztec

dominated land back on its feet. Historytoday.com states that, “Having only arrived in 1519, the

Spanish had razed the city by 1521.

Mexico City, capital of the viceroyalty

of New Spain, grew up in its place.”

The reconstruction launched new

connections between Spain, ensuring a

future connected throughout the world

with resources, and culture. In the

image, historytoday.com states, “This map, published in Nuremberg in 1524 along with copies of

Hernán Cortés’ letters to Emperor Charles V translated into Latin, was the first image seen in

Europe of Tenochtitlan, presented under the Habsburg imperial flag,” as well as that, “Despite

being highly stylised, the general design reflects what is known of the layout of Tenochtitlan.”

Here, we are able to identify that there was a major turning point for Tenochtitlan and Mexico

after Spanish rule. A brand new society was formed, in which millions would later build their

lives from. Mexico today has one of the most vibrant cultures on the planet, with many holidays

which have been exposed to internationally, such as Dia de Los Muertos and Día de la Virgen de
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Guadalupe. These holidays are filled with life, culture, and vibrancy like no other. The

advancement of a global culture may have simply not been possible without Hernan Cortes’

involvement within the region.

Not only did Cortes’ actions affect the world we live in culturally, but also economically.

His connection to the Spanish launched an international trade from the Old Word, to the New

World which has never been done before. The exchange of goods kick-started the beginning of a

new society. History.com states that, “Mexico City, Mexico’s largest city and the most populous

metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, is also known as Distrito Federal, or the federal

district. It is the country’s economic and cultural hub, as well as home to the offices of the

federal government.” As Mexico City grew, the country grew as well. Trade between Europe and

Mexico continued to bring life to the area. Mexico City today is a thriving metropolitan; it’s truly

the lifeblood of Central America and the rest of the planet. Clearly, without such economic and

cultural influences, our planet would be vastly different than what it is today. The region may not

have been as advanced due to a lack of structure and international impact.

Hernan Cortes has shown to be one of the most influential leaders in history, building a

society from the ground. His story may not be told as often as Christopher Columbus, but it’s

just as important. Cortes built what we know today as Mexico, opened up an extensive amount of

trade between the New and Old World which vastly grew our economy, and opened up space for

new cultures to sprout. Many millions of people are here because of him, and the progress made

because of many of his actions far surpasses what can be summed up in a single paper. Hernan

Cortes is a ripple in the waves of advancement.

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Works Cited

History.com Staff. “Hernan Cortes.” ​History.com​, A&E Television Networks, 2009,

www.history.com/topics/exploration/hernan-cortes.

Cartwright, Mark. “Cortes & the Fall of the Aztec Empire.” ​Ancient History Encyclopedia​, 4

July 2016, www.ancient.eu/article/916/cortes--the-fall-of-the-aztec-empire/.

“History - Hernando Cortés.” ​BBC​, BBC,

www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cortes_hernan.shtml.

Szalay, Jessie. “Hernán Cortés: Conqueror of the Aztecs.” ​LiveScience​, Purch, 28 Sept. 2017,

www.livescience.com/39238-hernan-cortes-conqueror-of-the-aztecs.html.

“Mexico City History.” ​Aztec History​, www.aztec-history.com/mexico-city-history.html.

Innes, Ralph Hammond. “Hernán Cortés, Marqués Del Valle De Oaxaca.” ​Encyclopædia

Britannica​, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 June 2017,

www.britannica.com/biography/Hernan-Cortes-marques-del-Valle-de-Oaxaca.

Wiles, Kate. “Tenochtitlan, 1524.” ​Tenochtitlan, 1524​, 10 Oct. 2016,

www.historytoday.com/kate-wiles/tenochtitlan-1524.

History.com Staff. “Mexico City (Distrito Federal).” ​History.com​, A&E Television Networks,

2009, www.history.com/topics/mexico/distrito-federal.