Hernán Cortés

Definition

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. He is known for his military tactics and his role in establishing Spanish colonization in the Americas.

Related terms

Conquistador: A conqueror, specifically referring to Spanish explorers and soldiers who colonized parts of the Americas.

Aztec Empire: The powerful civilization that existed in central Mexico before it was conquered by Hernán Cortés and his forces.

Spanish Colonization: The process by which Spain established settlements and control over territories in the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries.