November 8: The murderer and conqueror Hernan Cortes entered Tenochtitlan in 1519 where Moctezuma, the great chief of the Aztec Empire, offers a welcome with a lavish celebration.

The great city of Tenochtitlan

Hernán Cortés experienced so much admiration and recognition by the Aztecs, just like a god.

Cortes and his troops invade the sacred city of Tenochtitlán

Cortes arrived in huge ships unknown by the natives, and then riding horses with iron armor, white bearded made the conquerors unimaginable teams. That is, thugs, rude, vulgar.

Hernán Cortés, marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, was a Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec empire and won Mexico for the crown of Spain.

Moctezuma became Hernán Cortés’ prisoner and forced him to identify the location of mines and wineries precious treasures. In addition, as a pirate and plunderer, he wanted to force Moctezuma to swear allegiance and submission to King Charles V of Spain.

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.

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, conqueror of Cuba, was the highest authority and who authorized Hernán Cortés to explore Mexico.

"The Torture of Cuauhtémoc", a 19th-century painting by Leandro Izaguirre

But Velazquez knew Cortes's ambitions and sent 1400 troops to arrest him. However, Cortes defeated Velazquez’ troops and convinced the survivors to join him.