Exploration and Expansion Section 2 Conquistador Some Spaniards moved from Caribbean to mainland to set up colonies Hernán Cortés led expedition to Mexico, ended with conquest of Aztecs Cortés a conquistador, military leader who fought against Native Americans Other Advantages In addition to Native American allies, Cortés had metal weapons, heavy armor, guns, horses—animals never seen before in Americas Disease also swept through Aztec Empire, killing thousands of people Cortes Marches on Capital Moctezuma II, Aztec emperor at time of Spanish arrival in Mexico Aztecs powerful, ruled much of Mexico; unpopular with those they conquered Cortés joined by thousands of those who wanted to defeat Aztecs The Conquest of Mexico
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