The term Conquistadors refers to the Spanish explorers and soldiers who played a significant role in the colonization of the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries. Notable figures such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro led expeditions that resulted in the fall of powerful empires like the Aztec and Inca, respectively. These adventurers were driven by the pursuit of wealth, land, and glory, often at the expense of indigenous populations. Their conquests led to significant cultural exchanges, but also to devastating consequences for native societies, including disease and displacement.