Final answer:
Conquistadors were Spanish conquerors who played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas during the 16th and 17th centuries. Led by individuals such as Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro, they sought to expand Spanish influence, find wealth, and convert native populations to Christianity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conquistadors were Spanish conquerors and explorers who played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas during the 16th and 17th centuries. Led by individuals such as Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro, they sought to expand Spanish influence, find wealth, and convert native populations to Christianity.
Conquistadors were known for their advanced military tactics and the use of horses, firearms, and metal weapons that gave them an advantage over the indigenous peoples. They gained control over vast territories, established colonies, and had a lasting impact on the history and cultures of the Americas.
For example, Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico, while Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire in present-day Peru. These conquests brought immense wealth to Spain and laid the foundations for the Spanish colonial empire in the Americas.
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