In March of 1519, Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, landed on the shores of Mexico and began his expedition in search of the famed Aztec civilization, rumored to possess vast wealth in gold and silver. Cortés gathered a small contingent of approximately 600 men alongside ships that carried horses and artillery, which were essential tools for the forthcoming military engagements. He established a base at Veracruz, a strategic position that enabled him to communicate with Spain and local indigenous tribes. His initial interactions with the Totonac people were marked by diplomacy and trade, while Cortés aimed to learn about the riches that lay inland.

As Cortés and his men ventured further into the heart of Mexico, they encountered various indigenous civilizations, forming alliances and gathering information that would facilitate their advance to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. The arrival of the Spaniards was marked by curiosity, fear, and the seeds of conflict, as Cortés decimated tribute-demanding structures and catalyzed fractious relations among local rulers. The indigenous populations were initially intrigued by the newcomers and their advanced weaponry but soon realized the threat they posed to their sovereignty.

The expedition also included feats of military strategy and a display of European technology versus Mesoamerican tactics, culminating in significant battles and the eventual siege of Tenochtitlán. The opening phases of this conquest were instrumental in shaping the subsequent interactions between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of Mexico. The wealth sought by Cortés and his men was ultimately found, but not without catastrophic consequences for the Aztec Empire and its people.