Following the success of Columbus’ expeditions in the early 16th century, an archetypal Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, set out to explore the coast of Mexico, but instead encountered and conquered the Aztec Empire, consequently earning political success and control of the Aztecs, ultimately leading to consolidation of Spanish control in the entire Mexican region.
An exponential increase in the exploration of the Americas’, in an effort to spread Christianity, and conquer new territories, European monarchs sent the conquistador, Christopher Columbus to explore the New World. In the initial voyages to the West Indies, the Taino Natives failed to respect Christian symbols (The Beginnings of Our Global Age, 1). Although the European motive was essentially to spread Christianity was met with disdain, it paved the path for other conquistadors, such as Hernan Cortes, to spread the cause. Further, the Taino people were conquered and taken as prisoners in an…show more content… Surviving demoralized Natives believed they had suffered their fate as their Gods were less powerful than those of their conquerors, and therefore, many converted to Christianity under fear, or in a hope for a better existence (The Beginnings of Our Global Age, 5). This was a clear advantage for the Spaniards as they were successful in spreading Christianity to the lands and people they conquered. Post the conquest of the Aztec Empire, Cortes was appointed the Governor of New Spain (Tenochtitlan and surrounding region) (Thomas). Cortes’ ruthless combination of a sharp military mind, with a diplomatic edge aided his political status, as he quickly rose to key leadership roles, during his conquest and expeditions. European conquistadors through Hernan Cortes, helped spread Christianity by his conquest of the “New World” ultimately earning him political success, power and Spanish control of central Mexican
