Hernando Cortes
Why did the Europeans need to seek new trade routes?
The main reason for European exploration was the desire for new sources of wealth. The Muslims and the Italians controlled the trade of goods from East to West. The Italian merchants resold the items of trade at increased prices to merchants throughout Europe. Other Europeans did not like such high prices. So by the 1400s, European merchants were exploring trying to find a sea route directly to Asia.
For "God, Glory, and Gold"
The phrase means that the Europeans explored to spread Christianity, to grow rich, and to have the glory of finding some place no one has ever been.
Who, What, Where?
Who funded his trip(s)?
Diego de Velazquez and partly Cortes himself
What years did he explore?
1519-1521
Where was he from?
Medellín, Spain
Diego de Velazquez and partly Cortes himself
What years did he explore?
1519-1521
Where was he from?
Medellín, Spain
Achievements
- Took over the city of Tabasco
- Founded the town of Vera Cruz and became the captain-general of the new colony
- Captured the Tlaxcalans on September 18, 1519
- Found and conquered Tenochtitlan
- Became captain of Mexico
- Discovered the peninsula of California in 1536
- Founded the town of Vera Cruz and became the captain-general of the new colony
- Captured the Tlaxcalans on September 18, 1519
- Found and conquered Tenochtitlan
- Became captain of Mexico
- Discovered the peninsula of California in 1536
Significance
- Cortes got a lot of gold from the Aztecs
- Peninsula of California was discovered.
- Peninsula of California was discovered.
