Final answer:
Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who sought to conquer land and acquire gold in Mesoamerica, leading to the downfall of the Aztec Empire and expansion of the Spanish empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish explorer, Hernán Cortés, came to Mesoamerica with the purpose of conquering land and searching for gold. Hernán Cortés was one of the most notable Spanish conquistadors who played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Inspired by the quest for wealth, Cortés embarked on an expedition to the New World following Columbus's earlier discovery. Arriving on Hispaniola in 1504, he later participated in its conquest. Cortés's relentless pursuit of honor and riches led him to explore the Yucatán Peninsula.
In 1519, he invaded the Aztec Empire, entering its capital, Tenochtitlán, where he was astonished by the sophisticated urban architecture and shocked by the practice of human sacrifice. The allure of the Aztec's gold primarily drove Cortés and his men, bolstering their determination to conquer the land for the Spanish Crown and seek tribute from the natives. Their conquest not only expanded the Spanish empire but also brought about the downfall of the Aztec civilization, largely aided by European diseases and alliances with native groups resentful of Aztec rule.