Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who orchestrated the fall of the Aztec Empire, reshaping the Americas' cultural and political landscape.

Hernán Cortés (1485–1547) irrevocably altered world history by leading the conquest of the Aztec Empire (1519–1521), a campaign that brought Mesoamerica under Spanish rule. His audacious tactics—including the scuttling of his own ships to prevent retreat—demonstrated ruthless determination. By leveraging alliances with discontented Indigenous groups like the Tlaxcalans, Cortés toppled Moctezuma II’s empire with just 600 men.

Cortés’s legacy is contentious but undeniably transformative. The seizure of Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City) introduced European diseases, Christianity, and colonial administration, leading to the near-erasure of Indigenous civilizations. Yet, his expeditions also initiated the Columbian Exchange, globalizing crops like maize and chocolate while reshaping economies worldwide.

His Letters from Mexico—vivid accounts sent to King Charles V—remain critical primary sources for historians. While criticized for brutality, Cortés’s actions laid foundations for New Spain, blending Indigenous and Spanish cultures into a unique mestizo identity. Modern debates about colonialism and cultural destruction ensure his enduring relevance in discussions about imperialism and its consequences.