Why did Spain want to conquer the Aztecs?

Spain wanted to conquer the Aztecs for several major reasons:

1. Wealth: The Aztecs possessed vast amounts of gold and silver, which the Spaniards were eager to acquire. Tales of the Aztec's riches had reached Spain, which motivated the Spanish conquistadors to seek wealth by plundering these resources.

2. Religion: The Spanish were devout Catholics and desired to spread Christianity. They saw the indigenous religions as pagan and felt it was their duty to convert the Aztecs and other native peoples of the New World to Christianity.

3. Power and Prestige: Conquering new lands was a way for both the Spanish crown and the individual conquistadors like Hernán Cortés to gain power, prestige, and noble titles. Expanding the Spanish Empire was a high priority for the Spanish monarchy, and military victories were a guaranteed way to raise one's status and influence.

4. Strategic Advantage: By conquering the Aztecs, Spain would have a strong foothold in the Americas. This would allow them to expand their territories further and work to dominate trade routes and the geopolitics of the region.

5. Technological Advantage: The Spanish had superior weaponry and military tactics compared to the Aztecs, which included firearms, steel weapons, and armor, as well as horses. This technology gave them confidence in their ability to successfully conquer the Aztecs.

The combination of these factors led Spain to embark on the conquest of the Aztec Empire, which culminated in the fall of Tenochtitlán in 1521 and the eventual colonization of Mexico.