Final answer:
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers who conquered indigenous empires in the Americas, seeking gold, wealth, and converting natives to Christianity. Notable figures include Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro. Their conquests led to the significant exploitation and transformation of the New World.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conquistadors were Spanish explorers and soldiers who embarked on conquests in the Americas after the voyages of Columbus. Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro were among the most notable conquistadors who led expeditions, forcibly subjugated indigenous civilizations, and sought vast wealth. Their primary motivations included the search for gold, silver, and other treasures, the expansion of Spanish territory, and the imposition of the Roman Catholic faith on native populations, often using the encomienda system to control labor and resources.
The Spanish conquests resulted in significant changes in the New World's physical landscape, demographics, and social structures. By forcing their way into territories like the Aztec and Inca Empires, the conquistadors claimed these lands for Spain and began a process of colonization that would have lasting impacts on the Americas. This colonization effort was marked by a blend of military conquest, alliances with some local groups, and the implementation of the encomienda system, which essentially enslaved the native population under the guise of protection and religious conversion.
While the conquistadors were successful in fulfilling their desire for riches and territory, their arrival and eventual dominance in the Americas led to the exploitation and decline of indigenous populations and cultures, with profound consequences that continue to resonate in the region's sociopolitical climate today.