Hernan Cortés: A Man of Immense Bravery
When one pauses to think of the most important and successful explorer in New World history, Christopher Columbus is usually the first to come mind. No? Maybe Ponce de Leon or even Leif Ericson. However, contrary to common regard, Hernan Cortés is easily one of the most, if not the most, influential explorers in the history of the New World. Cortés had the confidence to disregard authority and determinedly pursue his own goals, a characteristic which had great influence on his success in conquering the Aztecs and establishing his own empire. Even through his eventual removal from power, Cortés’s accomplishments have had lasting impacts on colonization and the present-day Americas.
In the 1500s, Spain’s small settlements on the outskirts of the New World were becoming costly and inefficient (Roark 39). The Spanish needed to delve further inland in order to stay afloat, and Cortés was the perfect man for the job. An already successful explorer, having experience in Cuba and the Caribbean, Velázquez, governor of Cuba, placed Cortés as the leader of an expedition to dive further inland than ever before (Roark 39). Though this permission was revoked before Cortés even set sail, he continued to go about his mission and defy the Cuban government. This mutiny did not phase him, and he landed in the Yucatán Peninsula in 1519, where he also reunited with old friend Jerónimo Aguilar. Jerónimo, along with multilingual Mexican Malintzin, aided Cortés in translating, and Cortés’s army continued on toward the Mexica capital.
While Cortés’s army neared capital Tenochtitlán and gathered Native allies, leader Moctezuma caught wind of their approach and attempted to deter them with bribes consisting of food and gold; this however, only motivated Cortés more (Roark 39). Due to the thought that “Cortés’ arrival coincided with an Aztec prophecy about a white-skinned god arriving from the east”, Moctezuma did not greet Cortés with violence, but with warmth and friendliness (BBC). Soon after this welcome, however, Moctezuma grew suspicious of Cortés and tensions began to rise. Cortés, being the strategist that he was, quickly noticed these tensions and decided to take Moctezuma prisoner in his own palace. With the Aztec empire coming to a screeching halt, Moctezuma’s people elected a new leader and rose against Cortés. In the process, Moctezuma was killed and a bloody battle ensued. Seeing how the Spanish would inevitably lose, the Native allies deserted them, and the Spanish army was destroyed. Cortés and his remaining men fled, unknowingly leaving behind the deadly Smallpox disease.
Cortés’ army was now small, weak, and hopeless, but this did not deter Cortés. He quickly regrouped with his people, and to their surprise and dismay, told them of his plan for yet another attack on the Aztecs. It is then when his past actions finally reveal their consequences, as a messenger alerts Cortés that Cubans have arrived nearby to arrest Cortés for his mutinous actions. Still yet, Cortés remained determined, and he set off to peacefully turn himself in. However, when he arrived, instead of being arrested, he was able to convince his captors to join him in his attack on the Aztecs. Back in Mexica, the Aztecs were ravaged by sickness and hunger after the Spanish had fled. “The pustules that covered people caused great desolation; very many people died of them, and many just starved to death; starvation reigned, and no one took care of others any longer,” (Johnson 31). With an army stronger than ever before, Cortés led an extremely successful 80 siege, easily destroying the weak Aztec people. With the help of Spanish boats and cannons, New Spain is formed on August 13, 1520.
Cortés’ remarkable success in conquering one of the most powerful native tribes can be primarily attributed to his character and specific personality traits. “Cortés and the conquest of Mexico should be viewed not just as a brilliant military feat but instead as the successful implementation of multiple strategies derived from almost 30 years of Spanish conquest experience in the Caribbean,” (New World Encyclopedia). Cortés was a man of confidence, bravery, and perseverance. When he set his mind on exploring the New World, he did not let government orders stand in his way. He was determined and believed in both himself and his people, which is why his army looked up to him and followed him. Even when the situation seemed bleak for his army, he was able to convince them to try again, and they did so, successfully. His charm made him convincing and believable, allowing him to bring even his own captors to his own side, a move that ultimately ensured his win over the Aztecs. In any of the situations and conflicts presented to Cortés over his life, any other explorer may have just given up and accepted defeat. But Cortés was different; he was born to be a conquistador, and that is exactly what he did.
Cortés’ success was inevitable in regards to his bravery and confidence, and because of this, he made lasting impacts on the New World; effects which are still evident today. Cortés not only led and inspired his own army, but also other explorers. “The ‘blueprint’ that Cortés established – dividing native populations against one another and exploiting traditional enmities – was one followed later by Pizarro in Peru, Alvarado in Central America and other conquests in the Americas,” (Minster). In inspiring these other great explorers, he was a pioneer, establishing the way in which the New World would be colonized, and ultimately how we, as Americans, would get to be here today.
Hernan Cortés has every title in the book: explorer, conqueror, monster, hero, liar, and criminal, and in some way, each of these titles are correct. But most of all, Cortés was a inspiration, who not only founded New Spain, but also ultimately founded every other colony in the New World after him. Through his treasonous actions, overthrow of the Aztec government, and success in finally conquering Azteca, he laid down the tracks others would follow, and his confidence was contagious. His trials and successes may have come at a cost to the natives, but without them we would not be here today.