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Hernando Cortes Accomplishments

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Some of you may have heard of Hernando Cortez and know about his accomplishments, but many have not not. Hernando Cortes, often referred to as Hernan, was once a famous explorer. Hernan accomplished many great things and achieved very much. As an explorer typically is, Hernan is very interesting. As you read on farther in the story, you will learn just how interesting Hernando Cortes is. Hernando Cortes was born 1485 in Medellin, Spain. Medellin was a town in the Spanish province known as Extremadura. Medellin was one of the most poorest and bleakest towns in Spain. When Hernan was younger, he was often sick. He then grew out of that stage, into a very healthy strong young man. Hernan had a certain talent for getting in trouble. When …show more content…

He dreamed of growing rich and finding glory there. In 1504, when he was 19 he boarded a supply ship to travel to the new Spanish settlement on the island of Hispaniola. It was a long difficult trip. The ship’s mainmast broke in a storm and had to be repaired at the Canary islands. Then the captain lost his way, fresh water and food ran low, and the ship encountered many more storms along the way. Then the crew spotted a dove and followed the bird to arrive safely at the port town Santo Domingo in Hispaniola.
In Hispaniola, Hernan became a farmer and notary to a town council. For the first six years, he seemed to have been content to his position. He contracted syphilis and missed the expeditions of Diego de Nicuesa and Alonso de Ojeda, who sailed for the South American mainland in 1509. By 1511 he had recovered from his illness, and he sailed with Diego Velázquez to conquer Cuba. In Cuba Velázquez was appointed governor, and Cortés clerk to the treasurer. Cortés received a gift of land, Indian slaves, and the first house in the new capital of Santiago. He was now in position of power and the man to whom dissident elements in the colony began to turn for

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