Compare And Contrast The Spanish Conquest Of The Aztecs

2. April 21, 1519: Aztec and Cortez As a result of exploration and colonization, Spain became one of the most powerful and wealthy empires in the 1600s. A conquistador Hernando Cortés was sent from Cuba as the leader of an exploratory expedition to the mainland. At that time, the powerful Aztec empire ruled over many smaller indigenous kingdoms. By enlisting the aid of many disgruntled subject kingdoms, Cortés was able to conquer the Aztecs. He and his army marched to the capital city, Tenochtitlán, and caused a massive rebellion in which Montezuma with killed. The Spanish enslaved the Aztecs and forced them to work in fields and mines. With this defeat, the Spaniards gained invaluable land and wealth that put them as the main power of Europe.