What was the purpose of Hernan Cortez explorations?

Question

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Answer 1

The short version-

Cortes was not a stranger to expeditions and conquests.  He was related to Francisco Pizarro who conquered the Incan Empire.  He initially went to Hispaniola for his personal gain.  He became a land owner and rose through the government ranks in Hispaniola.  He wanted more and was not satisfied with just being a secretary. He aspired for more.  He bought ships and began putting together a crew in order to explore the area known now as Mexico.  He was passed over several times due to personal issues between him and the Governor of Hispaniola.  He finally was given approval only to have it taken away, but he didn't care.  He continued on and strategically moved into Mexico.  He created alliances and grew his army.  He walked in to Tenochtitlan and eventually starved the city into submission.  He became Governor, renamed Tenochtitlan into Mexico City, and became angry when King Charles sent four advisers to assist him.  This hurt his ego.  Due to his expedition, Christianity spread into Mexico as well as disease.  In summary, his explorations were mainly for his own ego, it just coincided that Spain wanted to expand into Hispaniola and Mexico for the riches that were coming out of these locations.  He also spread Christianity as he went. 

The long version-

Hernan Cortes settled in Hispaniola in 1504 as a colonist.  He registered as a citizen which entitled him to land to cultivate and building plots.  He established himself in the colony and in 1506 he took part in the conquest of Cuba and Hispaniola (he was not the leader of this conquest).  He received a large estate and slaves for his efforts.   In 1511, Cortes assisted in a conquest of Cuba with the assistant of the governor of Hispaniola.  He was appointed as a clerk to the treasurer.  Cortes was impressive to Governor Velazquez and was appointed to many different positions.  The relationship between Cortes and Velazquez soured which prevented Cortes from taking a leadership role during the first couple of conquests into Mexico.  Finally Velazquez appointed Cortes for an expedition into the interior of what is modern day Mexico, but at the last minute Velazquez pulled the charter for the expedition.  Cortes continued with the expedition even though his action were consider to be mutiny.  Cortes made his way through Trinidad and Cuba hiring soldiers.  In 1519, he battled natives near Tabasco and received 20 indigenous women whom he converted to Christianity.  On his way to Tenochtitlan, he encountered indigenous groups and made alliances with many of these groups.  Following battles, he would release prisoners and send them back with messages of peace. As Cortes approached Tenochtitlan, Cortes massacred thousands of natives in an attempt to scare the Aztecs.   Cortes had a large army and was received by Moctezuma.  Moctezuma hoped to learn the weakness of Cortes and lull the Spanish into complacency.  The gifts just made the Spanish more determined to claim the city as their own.  Once Cortes learned that Aztecs were killing Spaniards along the coast he decided to attack.  He took Moctezuma as a hostage which allowed him control of the city.  Velazquez sent another expedition into Mexico.  Cortes left a small army in Tenochtitlan and went to meet the new expedition.  He pushed back the new expedition but in his absence a massacre took place and a rebellion occurred. Cortes quickly returned to Tenochtitlan.  Moctezuma was killed.  Cortes had to flee to Tlaxcala, losing much of the riches he had pillaged.  Cortes received help from his alliances and reinforcements came in from Cuba.  He began a war of attrition with the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan.  The siege ended with a Spanish victory and the city was destroyed.  Cortes claimed the city.  He names it Mexico City. From 1521-1524 he was the Governor of Mexico.