What did Hernan Cortes hope to find on his expedition to Mexico

Question

Did he have to get riches, land, etc.

Answer 1

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador; conquistadores were interested in glory, conquests, and most importantly gold. Hernán believed the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán was wealthy in gold and other riches; he is responsible for the fall of the Aztec empire, and was able to take down the capital with just a military squad. Hernán and his troops actually collided with Moctezuma II, and the Aztec emperor was amongst the first to die by the hand of his own people who disagreed with welcoming the Spanish. Cortés did not work alone; la Malinche a Náhuatl native-speaker, who despised the Aztec's grip over pre-hispanic central Mexico, worked with Hernán as a guide and interpreter, and aided in recruiting other tribes, like the Olmecs and Tlaxcalans who were subjugated by the Aztecs and considered to be at a lower socioeconomic status within the Aztec hierarchy. Even though the Aztec capital was much larger than the Spanish conquistador squad, the Aztecs were at a disadvantage having never seen horses or guns before; additionally, the conquistadors brought with them a variety of illnesses which the Aztecs had no immunity for.