Herman Cortez 1521

  Herman Cortez, a Spanish explorer, set out to conquer Mexico from the Aztec Indians for Spain in 1519. The reason Cortez went for the Aztecs was because he knew they were very rich, and Cortez wanted the money. Before Cortez came to Mexico he was helping Veracrus, another Spanish explorer, conquer Cuba. When Cortez landed in Mexico he explored the coast, started a city near Veracrus, and marched into the mountains and made a treaty with Tlaxcola, the Aztec's enemies. Cortes began to act like he was Quetzaleoatl, the Aztec god who they thought was coming back to Mexico from the east. The aztecs believed they could see thier god in physical form. As a result, the Aztec defenses were lowered and Cortez's men conquered the Aztec capital in November 1519.

 

By Spencer

Sources: Encyclopedia "C" 1945 /16325/y-conq.html