The Spanish Conquest refers to the period in the 16th century when Spanish explorers and conquistadors, such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, invaded and colonized vast territories in the Americas. This era marked the fall of powerful indigenous empires, including the Aztec and Inca civilizations, leading to significant cultural and demographic changes. The conquest was driven by the pursuit of wealth, land, and the spread of Christianity. The Spanish established colonies, exploiting resources and indigenous populations, which had lasting impacts on the social and political landscape of the New World.