Final answer:
Spanish explorers faced dangers such as harsh climates and diseases, but the potential rewards of wealth and glory motivated them to undertake risky voyages. Their expeditions were also fueled by religious urges and the desire to expand Spanish influence in the Americas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spanish explorers like Hernán Cortés faced various dangers during their expeditions including harsh climates, unknown territories, resistance from native populations, and new diseases. These risks notwithstanding, they believed their trips to the new world were worth it due to the potential for immense wealth, glory, and the opportunity to earn hereditary privileges and honor. The Spanish Conquest was driven by these motivations, as well as the desire to spread Christianity, countering other influences, discovering new lands, and satisfying their monarchs' wishes for expansion.
The allure of gold, silver, and other riches was a powerful motivator, coupled with religious fervor and the potential to establish a powerful hemispheric empire in the Americas. Explorers like Cortés were also intrigued by the adventure and the glory that could come from voyaging into the unknown, often pushing the boundaries of the known world. The Spanish expanded rapidly within fifty years after Columbus's discovery, despite the challenges of distance, time, and communication across the Atlantic, establishing a far-reaching empire in the Caribbean, Mesoamerica, and the Andes.