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Hernan Cortez was, simultaneously, both a builder of Spain’s empire and a rebel. Cortez was not even supposed to be rewarded on Spain’s conquest of Mexico when he was chosen to lead the expedition. But he was overwhelmingly underestimated and his ambition and cunning would lead him to have the glory and rewards all but to himself. After Spain’s brief conquest of Cuba lead by Diego Velasquez, Velasquez was intent on conquering new lands in the name of the king to be rewarded with fame and profits. It was believed by the greedy Spaniards that the Americas were rich with gold and Velasquez soon sent an expedition to conquer the land of Mexico. Velasquez was faced with a problem; he could not leave Cuba so he had to find a soldier suitable to lead an expedition of this magnitude who was also loyal enough to return to Velasquez so that he could claim the glory for himself. Cortez was chosen to lead the expedition as Velasquez believed that he was not big enough to become his rival. Unknown to Velasquez, the cunning Cortez had persuaded his advisors to advise him to appoint Cortez and as soon as they set sail Cortez would never obey him again. Velasquez suspected him of being a rebel but it was too late and when he sent word