Hernan Cortes

Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521. His actions marked a significant moment in the Global Age, as they opened up vast new territories in the Americas for European exploration and colonization. This event mattered at the time because it expanded the Spanish Empire and introduced European culture, technology, and diseases to the indigenous people. Today, Cortes's legacy is seen in the cultural blending and complex histories of Latin American countries, where European and indigenous influences coexist. For example, in Mexico, Spanish is the dominant language due to the lasting impact of Spanish colonization initiated by Cortes.