Hernan Cortes was born in Medellin, Extre Madura in 1485. Hernan was only a petite 5’ 4” but he made up for his height advantage with courage and determination. Cortes studied law in Spain but then he decided to come over to the Americas. Upon his arrival he joined force with velazquez to conquer Cuba. They did and in 1511 he became the mayor of Cuba. Cortes in 1519 persuaded Velaquez (governor) to allow an expedition to Mexico. Velazquez was …showed first 75 words of 441 total…

…showed last 75 words of 441 total…reorganized his army. He then entered Tenochtitlan and defeated Cuauhtemoc bringing the end to the Aztecs. On the ruins of Tenochtitlan Cortes built Mexico City (the largest modern-day city). Cortes was named governor and captian of New Spain due to the riches he achieved for Spain. Hernan also went on to discover the Baja Peninsula and explore the Pacific Coast of Mexico. He retired to a small estate in Seville, were he later died in 1547.