Hernan Cortes sailed the vast, deep, blue ocean throughout his life, searching for land, money and power. The astonishing leader born in Spain in 1485 developed many armies and navigated through rough terrain. To many people he was respected, although feared a good leader. Hernan Cortes was an accomplished conquistador who improvised leadership by overpowering the Aztecs, which affected the country of Mexico for their language and religion by spreading the culture of Spain to Mexico. Long before Hernan Cortes was born, the 400’s through 1300’s in Europe was an unstable, depressing time. This time was known as the European Middle Ages. This was a time of great social and political instability and warfare. To improve …show more content…
things around them they invented “Feudalism,” a political system in which a king allows nobles, or lords to use land that belongs to him. For them this was a better way to survive the difficult times. This then led to the crusades, a series of wars to capture the “Holy land.” During this time of fighting the Europeans encountered many asian goods and started making many trades with the Asians. With all this new stuff a renaissance occurred, which led to a rebirth of new technology, like the printing press. With the more books they had, the more knowledgeable people became. Wanting more of the asian goods two explorers, Vasco de Gama and Bartholomew Dias, established a trade route to Asia. With this brilliant idea Christopher Columbus tried to rival with their trades, but unsuccessful he headed a different way. Once back from the travel Christopher Columbus “claimed” to have found America. This then led an opening for many Spain sailors, including Hernan himself to sail over. It was the year of 1521 when Hernan Cortes’s strong determination and persistency demolished the Aztec Empire. This all started when Hernan Cortes was at the sturdy age of 33. Velasquez, the governor of Spain at the time ordered Hernan to explore the land of Mexico. A year later when they reached the rugged land of Mexico he had an army of 16 horses and 600 men. Instead of exploring Hernan instilled fear in his army by burning to the ground all three of his ships. He didn’t want to explore he wanted to defeat. Hernan acted friendly with the Aztec tribes and lived in the capital for a year, before he got removed. Undoubtedly furious he came back to conquer them only to see that newly introduced European diseases had already weakened and killed so many. Seeing that the battle would be effortless he battled them and at the age of 36 conquered the Aztec Empire. After Hernan Cortes’s amazing defeat he was granted by the cities people governor of all of Mexico.
Hernan, now in power of this region decided to make places for his people to live. He made many plantations called “haciendas”. Spain got very wealthy during this time. From which Spain had then colonized most of America. This later caused African slaves, which the barter starting with Hernan himself. Hernan was a prodigious leader. Some might think he is cruel, but he just instills fear in everyone so that they still know he’s the boss. A good leader stays committed and brave which Hernan Cortes was throughout all of his wars and battles. Also to be a good leader you must be sly and sneaky which he was when he managed to slip away from Velasquez with part of his followers. Being virtuous isn't bad, it makes a stronger more loyal army. Hernan had many good qualities in his life, keeping a good army and trying to be the best man that he can be. Although he was very virtuous at times it kept his men in place. He also might have scared them a bit, but it’s all for a good reason. He was committed to get the job done and was devious, which everyone is a little. He had qualities that made him superior to other leaders according to the Machiavelli style. Some say Hernan changed Spain, others say he changed Mexico, but I think he changed the world for the past present and many future years to
come.