- Economic gain: The Spanish were ambitious and wanted to control more territory in the Americas, especially those with valuable resources. The Aztecs had an abundance of gold, silver, and other precious metals, which made them an attractive target for conquest.
- Religious zeal: The Spanish were strongly Catholic, and they wanted to spread their religion to the indigenous people of the Americas. They believed that converting the Aztecs from their polytheistic beliefs would serve a higher moral purpose.
- Political power: The Aztec Empire was a powerful entity that posed a threat to Spanish rule. By conquering them, the Spanish could consolidate their power and maintain their dominance over the region.
- Exploitation: The Spanish sought to exploit the Aztec Empire's wealth and labor force for their benefit. They were eager to extract mineral resources and use the Aztecs' labor for agricultural and construction projects.