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Hernando Cortes would do anything to be a successful explorer, including pretending to be an Aztec god. He explored many different places, but mostly spent time in South America. He was inspired by the success of Christopher Columbus. Cortes wanted to become an explorer. He changed Spain forever by conquering foreign lands. Hernando Cortes was a famous Spanish explorer who spread is influence to several foreign lands.
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Hernando Cortes was Spanish conquistador and explorer. He was born in Medellin, Spain in 1485. His parents sent him away to school at the age of 14. He was very intelligent and clever. He was also considered to be ruthless and argumentative. He studied law. When heard of the triumphs of Christopher Columbus, he decided he had enough of school. It is clear that the influence of Columbus led Cortes to follow in his footsteps and become a famous explorer. Hernando Cortes did become an explorer who influenced Mexican life forever. In 1504 he sailed to the New World at the age of 19. He landed on the Spanish colony of Hispaniola. Here he became a farmer and city official. A few years later in 1511, he sailed with Diego Velázquez to Cuba. There, they conquered the local native tribes. He was then named mayor and lived there for several years. In 1518 Cortes sailed with 1,000 soldiers, 16 horses, and weapons on an expedition that landed on the island of Cozumel. This journey changed the Mexican life forever.

Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztec empire over much of Mexico. The Aztecs lived over much of Mexico and were religious. The native Aztecs believed Cortes to be Quetzalcoatl, a god because he looked so much like him. Cortes tried to fight the Aztecs in a bloody battle but lost. On the second try he was successful and built his capital city called Mexico City. Cortes threatened Montezuma, the Aztec leader, who then turned over his empire to Cortes. He destroyed Aztec temples and replaced them with Christian churches. The Aztecs disappeared, along with their way of life and their civilization. It is clear that Hernando Cortes changed Mexican life like no one else.

The conquests of Hernando Cortes changed history. His Spanish influence in Central America and Mexico is still there today. When the Spaniards came to America, they called the new world New Spain. Hernando Cortes died in 1547 of old age. Hernando Cortes will always be remembered as a brave military leader and an influential explorer.