Who conquered the Aztecs and what motivated this?

The Aztecs were conquered by the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521. There were several reasons that motivated Cortés and his men to conquer the Aztec Empire:

1. Economic Incentives: The Spanish were driven by the desire for wealth and the abundance of precious metals, particularly gold and silver, that were rumored to exist in the Aztec Empire. The wealth and resources of the Aztecs were highly coveted, and the promise of riches enticed many conquistadors to join Cortés's expedition.

2. Religious Objectives: The Spanish were deeply religious and saw their mission as spreading Catholicism to the New World. They believed the indigenous people, including the Aztecs, were living in idolatry and paganism, and sought to convert them to Christianity. The Spanish saw their conquest as a religious duty and justification for their actions.

3. Imperial Ambitions: The Spanish Empire was expanding rapidly at the time, and Cortés saw an opportunity to expand Spain's territory by conquering the Aztec Empire. He aimed to establish Spanish dominance in the region, gain control over the extensive Aztec lands, and bring them under the rule of the Spanish monarchy.

4. Political Intrigues: Cortés and his men were not the only Spanish faction in the region. There was a rivalry among different conquistadors and other Spanish authorities. Cortés saw the conquest of the Aztecs as an opportunity to gain political power and establish his own authority in Mexico.

5. Technological Superiority: The Spanish possessed advantages in weaponry and military tactics that gave them an edge over the Aztecs. They had firearms and horses, which were unfamiliar and terrifying to the Aztecs, and they used these advantages strategically in battles.