What did Hernan Cortes and his expeditions lead to in Mexico?

Hernan Cortes and his expeditions played a pivotal role in the end of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Cortes arrived in 1519, motivated by the desire for wealth and glory, and he led an expedition that resulted in the defeat of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and the eventual fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, in 1521. This conquest was facilitated by various factors, including alliances with other indigenous groups who were rivals of the Aztecs and the introduction of European military technologies, such as firearms and horses.

Cortes' actions not only led to the demise of a major indigenous civilization but also marked the beginning of significant Spanish colonization efforts in Mexico. This conquest had lasting impacts on the region, leading to extensive cultural, social, and political changes that reshaped the population through processes such as the spread of Christianity and the introduction of European governance structures. Thus, the defeat of the Aztec Empire is a crucial event in understanding the history of colonialism in the Americas.