Mexico City
Cortéz re-organised his troupe and returned to Tenochtitlán in 1521, which fell after a short three-month siege. A new settlement, (Modern-day Mexico City) was built on the ruins and settled with Spanish colonists, and soon became the centre of Spanish America. Cortéz gained control over Mexico, inflicting great torture and cruelty on the population. Diseases like smallpox also caused immense fatalities.
Two years later, Cortéz was named governor and captain general of New Spain. Then, in 1528, with Spanish fearing that he was becoming too powerful, Cortéz was forced to return to Spain where he was reinstated by the king as captain general, but not civil governor. When he returned to Mexico, his powers were significantly limited and his activities monitored. He still continued to explore Central America, in hopes of finding a strait from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This expedition wasn't a total loss, because he ended up discovering, and naming, California.
Two years later, Cortéz was named governor and captain general of New Spain. Then, in 1528, with Spanish fearing that he was becoming too powerful, Cortéz was forced to return to Spain where he was reinstated by the king as captain general, but not civil governor. When he returned to Mexico, his powers were significantly limited and his activities monitored. He still continued to explore Central America, in hopes of finding a strait from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This expedition wasn't a total loss, because he ended up discovering, and naming, California.