what right did cubas appointed governor, diego de velásquez, grant to hernán cortés?

Castilian conquistador; 1st colonial governor of Cuba (1511-24)

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar
1st Governor of Cuba
In part 1511–1524
Succeeded by	Juan Altamirano
Personal details
Born	1465 (1465) Cuéllar, Segovia, Crown of Castile
Died	c. June 12, 1524 (aged 58–59) Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, New Spain

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar ^{[note 1]} (1465 – c. June 12, 1524) was a Castilian conquistador and the kickoff governor of Cuba. In 1511 he led the successful conquest and colonization of Cuba. Equally the showtime governor of the island, he established several municipalities that remain important to this solar day and positioned Cuba as a centre of trade and a staging point for expeditions of conquest elsewhere. From Republic of cuba he chartered important expeditions that led to the Spanish discovery and conquest of Mexico.

Early on life [edit]

Little is known about the early on life of Velázquez.^[1] He was built-in in Cuéllar effectually 1465, in the Segovia region of Spain. For a time he was a member of the Spanish military machine and served in Naples. Afterwards he returned to Spain and lived in Seville. In September 1493, Velázquez was one of 1500 men who sailed with Columbus on his second voyage to the New World. Velázquez never returned to Spain.^[2]

Velázquez settled on the island of Hispaniola and survived the early hardships which killed many colonists or collection them back home. In time he demonstrated an bent for dealing with the political factions on the island. He was well regarded by Bartholomew Columbus, the younger brother of Christopher and the administrator of the island from 1493 to 1500. When Bartholomew left the isle for whatsoever length of fourth dimension, he would make Velázquez acting governor of Hispaniola.^[two]

There is no record of Velázquez during Francisco de Bobadilla's brief tenure as governor of the island but when Nicolás de Ovando was appointed to the post in 1501, Velázquez quickly became one of the governor's trusted lieutenants. In 1503, when a Taino revolt broke out in the western provinces of the island, Velázquez was ordered to Jaragua where he quashed the rebellion.^[2]

After the defection Ovando adamant that five new towns should be built in the rebellious territory. Velázquez was sent to the western finish of the island to constitute Salvatierra de la Zabana and perhaps other towns. Velázquez resided in Salvatierra de la Zabana and all 5 of the new settlements were placed under his assistants. By 1511, Velázquez was one of the wealthiest men on Hispaniola. He held encomiendas at Verapaz, Salvatierra de la Zabana, and Santiago de Caballeros, where he was a partner with an unidentified encomendero in mining enterprises.^{[2] [3]}

Conquest of Cuba [edit]

When Diego Columbus became governor in 1509, he was instructed by King Ferdinand to explore, conquer, and colonize the neighboring island of Cuba in hopes of obtaining new sources of gold and Native labor. Miguel de Pasamonte, the king's treasurer in the Caribbean, was influential in seeing that Columbus selected Velázquez to lead the expedition. Velázquez was to finance the project himself and though Columbus assured him that the Crown would reimburse him later, no money was ever forthcoming. He assembled a small fleet of four ships and three hundred men amongst whom were several relatives, debt-ridden encomenderos and a few who would later become notable, including Hernán Cortés and Pedro de Alvarado.^{[four] [5]}

Velázquez sailed for Cuba in Jan, 1511, and landed at a small harbor in the native province of Mayci. The Spaniards were opposed by a Taino force led by Hatuey, formerly a chief from Hispaniola who fled to Cuba and helped the local Natives organize resistance to the incursion. The Tainos were outmatched by the Spanish weaponry and afterwards two months of intermittent fighting, they were defeated.^[6] According to Bartolome de las Casas, who did not make it on the island until afterward, Hatuey was captured and burned alive at the pale.^{[7] [8]}

The get-go Castilian settlement, Baracoa, was established on the northeast corner of the isle past Baronial, 1511. It consisted of a fort surrounded by thatched huts and served as the initial base of operations for the Spanish occupation of Republic of cuba. Later on that twelvemonth, Velázquez was joined by Panfilo de Narvaez who brought thirty Spanish archers and Native auxiliaries from Jamaica. Velázquez was glad for the reinforcements and made Narvaez second in control. More than a twelvemonth was spent consolidating control of the present-twenty-four hours Oriente province.^[9]

In early 1513 Velázquez married Maria de Cuéllar in the new town of Baracoa. She was the daughter of the purple treasurer, Cristóbal de Cuéllar, and a former lady-in-waiting for Maria de Toledo, the wife of Diego Columbus. Maria died less than a week later on their wedding.^[10]

After a slow start, the conquest of Cuba accelerated dramatically in 1513 when Velázquez organized 3 expeditions to proceed west, explore the island, and establish a Castilian presence. Narvaez led a forcefulness through the interior of the state while Velázquez and a lieutenant proceeded forth the s and n coasts respectively. Near the south coast, Narvaez soon met with a force of two,500 Tainos led by their chief, Caguax. The Castilian struck outset, before they could be attacked past the Natives defending their land, defeating Caguex and killing some one hundred Tainos. This was the final significant resistance faced by the Spanish and thereafter they proceeded relatively unchallenged in their colonization and search for gilded.^[xi]

In October, 1513, Velázquez received letters from the king that expanded his powers in Republic of cuba. Velázquez was authorized to assign Indians to encomiendas and establish additional towns equally warranted by his discoveries. In item he was encouraged to create settlements on the southern declension that would support trade with the growing Castilian presence in Panama. By 1514, the island was largely pacified and significant gold deposits were discovered at several sites on the island, setting off a brief gilt rush that lasted until about 1520.^[12] At its peak, officials complained that the search for Cuban gold was depleting manpower in Hispaniola.^[thirteen]

In improver to Baracoa, Velázquez used his authorisation to establish half dozen more Cuban towns past 1515. Near of the new settlements were sited on the coast virtually gold deposits and pregnant populations of Indian labor. Bayamo was founded in 1513, followed in 1514 by Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, and Havana. Havana, destined to become the premier city of Republic of cuba, was originally founded on the south coast. Puerto Principe was established in 1515. Velázquez added Santiago de Cuba in July, 1515 and made it his residence and the new capital of the island.^[fourteen]

Velázquez used the assignment of encomiendas to reward relatives and associates and thus ensure an island aristocracy that was loyal to him. Past 1522 significant encomiendas were held by his relatives Juan de Grijalva and Manuel de Rojas; his close associates Panfilo de Narvaez, Bachiller de Alonso Parada, and Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa; and fourteen others. In total, these encomenderos controlled almost 3,000 Indian laborers.^[15]

The new colonizers did not wish to exist under the personal authority of Diego Columbus, and then Velázquez convoked a general cabildo (a local regime council) which was duly authorized to deal directly with Spain, and therefore removed Velázquez and the colonizers from nether the dominance of Columbus, their nominal superior. It was a precedent that would come back to haunt him with the Mexican adventures.

Conquest of Mexico [edit]

In 1514, Velázquez wrote to the king concerning rumors of unknown lands to the north and west of Cuba. Initially, these rumors were merely the subject area of idle speculation and the male monarch instructed Velázquez to remain focused on the governance of Republic of cuba and especially the production of gilt. However, as the demand for labor grew, slaving expeditions explored the region in search of natives to work the Cuban ranches and gold mines.^[xvi] Interest in exploration and conquest intensified in 1516 when a slave ship returned carrying xx,000 pesos of gold seized from the natives living on the Guanajes, a series of pocket-sized islands off the declension of Cardinal America.^[17]

Velázquez quickly commissioned Francisco Hernández de Córdoba to lead an expedition which sailed in February, 1517, with instructions to explore certain neighboring islands. They soon came upon the shore of what they initially believed to be a large island, thus marking the Spanish discovery of the Yucatán Peninsula. Initial encounters with the Mayans living along the coast turned into armed conflict; 25 Spaniards were killed and many more wounded, including Córdoba himself. On his return to Cuba, Córdoba reported to Velázquez that the Mayans exhibited a sophistication not seen earlier in the region, including buildings of stone and mortar, wear of woven material, and decoration of golden and silver.^{[xviii] [xix]}

Velázquez organized another expedition, hoping to merchandise with the Mayans for their gilt, "for at that place must have been much there."^[20] He put his nephew, Juan de Grijalva, in command of 4 ships which departed Cuba in Jan, 1518. Grijalva sailed forth the Yucatan and then headed northwards post-obit the Mexican coastline, exploring and trading with the natives as the opportunity arose. When Grijalva returned in Oct he brought dorsum a profit of 20,000 crowns; but Velázquez was angry with his nephew and felt the returns did not justify the fourth dimension and effort.^[21]

Even before Grijalva returned, Velázquez was preparing for another, larger trek to the Yucatan. He sent a representative to Kingdom of spain requesting authority to trade with or conquer the new lands and was granted the title of adelantado of the Yucatan and whatsoever other lands he might detect. Velázquez was unsure of who should lead this latest endeavor and afterwards some hesitancy selected Hernán Cortés. Relations between them had been turbulent. Cortes served every bit the governor's private secretary during the initial conquest but was later involved in a plot to overthrow him. The attempted coup well-nigh cost Cortes his life but Velázquez pardoned him and awarded Cortes with one of the first encomiendas in Cuba.^[22]

Cortés readily accepted the commission and apace began to organize a fleet and recruit volunteers. The governor before long regretted his choice when friends and allies warned him that his former secretary could not be trusted to remain loyal. In response, Velázquez named Vasco Porcallo to supercede Cortés but when letters were sent ordering him to relinquish control, Cortés refused and fifty-fifty managed to recruit one of the messengers to his cause.^[23] Despite further entreaties and demands, Cortés refused turn over his command. In Feb, 1519, he left Havana for Mexico with x ships and about 500 fighting men, effectively declaring himself free of Velázquez'southward authority.^{[24] [25]}

In August 1519, Velázquez received discussion that Cortes had sent a transport to Espana carrying Aztec treasure and a request to be recognized as the rightful leader of the new territory. Velázquez hurriedly sent an emissary to Spain, contesting Cortes and reasserting his own potency. The Crown agreed to hear the dispute just postponed a decision for two years, perhaps waiting to run into how the struggle was resolved in the field.^[26]

Velázquez was determined to remove Cortes by force if necessary. In early 1520, he organized an armada of almost chiliad fighting men and 18 ships equipped with both low-cal and heavy artillery. Panfilo de Narvaez was selected to pb the force with instructions to abort Cortes and assume government of the new territory on behalf of Velázquez. Instead, Narvaez was easily defeated and Cortes persuaded most of the force to switch sides and bring together his invasion of the Aztec empire. The failed take chances was a disaster for Velázquez; he lost a substantial fortune invested in the fleet and left Cuba seriously depopulated and vulnerable to a Native uprising.^{[27] [28]}

Later life [edit]

Velázquez spent the remaining few years of his life defending his governorship in Cuba and standing his dispute with Cortes. Diego Colón perchance sensed that Velázquez was politically vulnerable; he sent Alonso Zuazo to Cuba in January, 1521, to replace the governor and conduct his residencia.^{[notation two]} However, Colon himself was in political difficulties and under investigation by the Crown. Finally, past July, 1523, Colon was recalled to Spain and Velázquez was fully restored to role.^[29]

In 1522, Carlos I formally recognized Cortes as governor of New Spain, thus ending Velázquez'southward claims to the newly conquered territory. In 1523, Cortés fabricated Cristobal de Olid the leader of an trek to conquer Honduras. While resupplying in Havana, Olid conspired with Velázquez and they agreed that Olid would renounce Cortez and capture Honduras on behalf of Velázquez. When Cortes heard of this plot, he wrote a alphabetic character of protest to the king and and then dispatched his agents to Honduras where they eventually killed Olid.

Velázquez's health began to fail in the summer of 1523 and a year later he died on June eleven or 12, 1524. At his asking, he was buried under the altar steps of the new cathedral in Santiago. His close acquaintance, Gonzalo de Guzman, was the principal heir of his manor and would after serve two terms as governor. Even before he died, plans were underway to replace Velázquez. In May, 1524, Carlos Two named Juan Altamirano to conduct a residencia and become the new governor of Republic of cuba.^{[xxx] [31]}

At the time of his death at the age of 59, Velázquez was "the richest Spaniard in the Americas," despite financial losses on the expedition of Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and of Hernán Cortés. He completed the successful conquest and colonization of Republic of cuba, founded towns that remain important today, made Cuba economically prosperous, and positioned it as a heart of merchandise and a staging point for expeditions of conquest elsewhere.^[32]

See also [edit]

• Listing of Viceroys of New Espana
• Viceroyalty of New Espana
• History of Cuba
• History of Havana
• Juan de Grijalva

Notes [edit]

1. ^ Pronounced: Spanish: [ˈdjeɣo βeˈlaθkeθ ðe ˈkweʎaɾ]
2. ^ A formal review of an official's fourth dimension in office conducted at the stop of his tenure

Citations [edit]

1. ^ Kent, p. 307-308
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Florstedt 1942
3. ^ Floyd, p. 63, 81
4. ^ Martinez-Fernandez, 2018
5. ^ Wright, 1916
6. ^ Benton, B. T., Berger, E. C., Brown, K., Chuchiak, J. F., Francis, J. G., Mann, K. D., Whittington, S. Fifty. (2017). Conquest in Latin America. In J. 1000. Francis, & T. 1000. Leonard (Eds.), Latin American history and culture: Encyclopedia of pre-colonial Latin America: (prehistory to 1550s). Facts On File.
7. ^ Floyd, 1973, p. 114
8. ^ Florstedt, 1942
9. ^ Floyd, 1973, p. 114
10. ^ Wright, 1916, p. 25,41
11. ^ Floyd, 1973, p. 117-118
12. ^ Floyd, 1973, p. 119
13. ^ Sauer, 1966, p. 186
14. ^ Sauer, 1966, p. 186-187
15. ^ Martinez-Fernandez, 2018
16. ^ Thomas, p. 323
17. ^ Florstedt, p. 45
18. ^ Florstedt, p. 45
19. ^ Wright, p. 72-74
20. ^ Florstedt, p. 48
21. ^ Florstedt, p. 49-52
22. ^ Florstedt, p. 53-55
23. ^ Florstedt, p. 53-55
24. ^ Florstedt, p. 59
25. ^ Wright, p. 85-86
26. ^ Florstedt, p. 63-67
27. ^ Florstedt, p. 67-71
28. ^ Wright, p. 87-88
29. ^ Floyd p. 211-213
30. ^ Floyd, p. 228
31. ^ Florstedt, p. 78-79
32. ^ Kent, p. 375.

Bibliography [edit]

• Florstedt, Robert (1942). Diego Velázquez, first governor of Cuba (MA). Ohio State University.
• Floyd, Troy (1973). The Columbus Dynasty in the Caribbean, 1492-1526. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
• Kent, Jacquelyn Briggs (1996). "Diego de Velásquez". Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Vol. half-dozen (2d ed.). Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 307–308.
• Martínez-Fernández, Luis (2018). Key to the New World: a History of Early Colonial Republic of cuba. Gainesville: Academy of Florida Printing. pp. 68–79. ISBN9781683400325.
• Restall, Matthew (2018). When Montezuma Met Cortés: the Truthful Story of the Meeting that Changed History (First ed.). New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN9780062427267.
• Sauer, Carl Ortwin (1966). The Early on Spanish Main. University of California Press.
• Thomas, Hugh (2003). Rivers of Golden : the Ascent of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan (1st U.Southward. ed.). New York: Random House. ISBN0375502041.
• Wright, Irene Aloha (1916). The Early on History of Republic of cuba, 1492-1586. MacMillan Company.

External links [edit]

• (in Spanish) Enciclopedia Libre Universal
• (in Castilian) Biography, with a bibliography
• Brusk biography
• (in Spanish) Encarta (Archived 2009-10-31)

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez_de_Cu%C3%A9llar

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