A major turning point of the Postclassic Era was the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors in Mexico and Central America in the early 16th century. This event marked the beginning of the Spanish colonial period in the Americas, and had far-reaching impacts on the indigenous peoples and cultures of the region.
Before the arrival of the Spanish, the Postclassic Era was characterized by the development and expansion of powerful Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs and the Maya. The arrival of the Spanish, however, brought about a major shift in the region, as the Spanish established their colonial rule and began to impose their culture and religion on the indigenous peoples. This led to significant changes in the political, social, and economic structures of the indigenous civilizations, and had a lasting impact on the region.
In addition to the arrival of the Spanish, the Postclassic Era was marked by a number of other major turning points, including the collapse of the Mayan civilization, the rise of the Aztecs, and the establishment of long-distance trade networks. However, the arrival of the Spanish and the subsequent colonization of the region remains one of the most significant events of this period, and had a lasting impact on the people, cultures, and history of the region.