How did hernendo Cortes change things?

Answer 1

Hernán Cortés dramatically changed the course of history by leading the Spanish expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521. His conquests opened up Mexico to Spanish colonization, leading to significant cultural, political, and economic shifts in the region. Cortés' actions initiated a wave of European exploration and colonization in the Americas, profoundly impacting indigenous populations through warfare, disease, and the introduction of new societal structures. This ultimately set the stage for the establishment of Spanish dominance in much of Central and South America.