Final answer:
In 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed from Cuba with the objective to conquer the Aztec Empire in Mexico, driven by the prospects of gold and territorial expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed from Cuba in order to conquer Mexico. Upon arrival, he landed on the Yucatán Peninsula at Potonchan and later at the coast of Veracruz. The ambition-driven conquistador was motivated by the rumors of vast amounts of gold and the possibility of claiming new territories for Spain. Cortés, along with his contingent of soldiers, horses, and guns, marched towards the Aztec Empire with the intent to take control and to explore the great riches that were said to exist there.
During his expedition, Cortés was received by Emperor Moctezuma II with gifts, an attempt by the emperor to maintain peace and avoid a confrontation. However, the relationship between the Spaniards and the Aztecs eventually became hostile, leading to the imprisonment of Moctezuma and, ultimately, the fall of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan after a series of battles and sieges that culminated in 1521. Cortés's conquest was a significant event in the history of the Americas and demonstrated the impact of European colonization on indigenous civilizations.