The Spanish conquest refers to the period in the 16th century when Spanish explorers and soldiers, known as conquistadors, invaded and colonized large parts of the Americas. Key figures like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro led expeditions that resulted in the fall of powerful empires such as the Aztec and Inca. This conquest was driven by the desire for wealth, land, and the spread of Christianity. The Spanish conquest had significant impacts on indigenous populations, leading to the decline of native cultures and the introduction of European diseases. The establishment of Spanish colonies transformed the social, political, and economic landscape of the Americas, laying the foundation for modern nations in the region.