Final answer:
Spanish explorers and conquerors known as conquistadors, such as Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro, sought wealth and power in the Americas. They implemented the encomienda system, leading to the exploitation of native populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish Conquistadors
The Spanish men who set out to explore and conquer the native Americans during Spain's period of exploration were known as conquistadors. These individuals were driven by the aspirations of wealth, fame, and the expansion of the Spanish Empire. Fueled by the tales of vast riches in the newly discovered lands, famous conquistadors like Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro led expeditions to Central and South America, conquering indigenous empires such as the Aztecs and Incas. The conquistadors established the encomienda system as a means to reward themselves through the labor or tribute of conquered peoples, often resulting in the exploitation