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Hernan Cortez By Sydney Hello! My name is Hernan Cortez. Let me get something straight I did not beg you to let me come here. Whiting Lane thinks I’m some kind of famous conquistador. Let me tell you a little about myself, or maybe a lot. I was born in Medellin, Spain in the province of Extremedora in the year 1485. I am famous because I conquered the Aztecs. I also claimed Mexico for Spain. I gave all of Mexico’s riches to Spain so that Spain would be wealthier. I founded the first Spanish settlement in Mexico. I also took part in the capture of Cuba. Are you listening!?!?! These ARE very important things I’m telling you, so listen up! Any ways, my father was an infantry captain for the Spanish Army. My family was a military family. I was an only child and always seemed to be sick when I was young. My family did not have a lot of money. Members of my family include Francisco Pizarro who later conquered the Incan Empire of modern-day Peru. I troubled my parents because I did not finish my schooling and I was bored in my small town. They thought I was a troublemaker. Which in my opinion is not true and it was very rude of my parents to say such a thing. I was trying my best. My parents sent me to the University in Salamanca, Spain. There, I studied Law, Latin and Grammar. I learned more about the Christian religion. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer. I studied at the University for two years but I did not finish because I became bored. What could I do? I was bored and I should not be bored for my whole life! I should take charge! I left the university and returned home at the age of 16. At 16 years old, I wanted a life of adventure. I traveled throughout Spain and when I returned home, I asked my parents for money to travel across the great ocean. I hoped to see the new lands that Columbus had found. My parents gave me the money to go on this voyage. In 1502, I planned to sail to America with Nicolas De Ovando, but he hurt himself and was unable to go. I think that he should have gone anyway. I really thought that he should have just dealt with it. In 1503, at the age of 18, I became a citizen of the Dominican Republic in Santa Domingo. In 1504, I boarded a Spanish ship and set sail. I arrived in the New World with Alonso Quintero aboard a ship called the Hispanola. At the age of 26, in 1510, I traveled with Diego Velazquez de Cuellor to Cuba to conquer it. I impressed the governor of Cuba and became a strong leader. I became Mayor in Santigua and controlled mines, cattle and Indians. I was jailed twice by the governor but escaped both times. I am to smart for them! I then traveled from Cuba to Mexico City, Mexico. In 1519, I sailed to the Yucatan Peninsula with more than 300 men on eleven ships. Conquering Mexico took more than two years. I was very rich later in life. I sent two expeditions in search of gold but did not find any. In 1530, I returned to Mexico to search for gold. That expedition also failed. Sadly by now, I had spent all of my money. I died on December 2, 1547. When I died, my body was moved from Spain to Mexico City. So if you have any questions you may try to find me somewhere in Mexico City. But please don’t, I need to rest in peace. |
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47 Whiting Lane |
