Final answer:
Montezuma sent gifts to Cortes as a sign of friendship and alliance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Montezuma sent gifts to Cortes as a sign of friendship and alliance (option A). When Cortes arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs believed he was their god and welcomed him warmly. The gift-giving ceremonies were a way for Montezuma to demonstrate goodwill and establish a positive relationship with Cortes and the Spanish explorers.