. With Spanish control of the Carribean and Gulf of Mexico assured, Spain proceeded to colonize the islands in the area, converting the islanders as they went and often massacring whole populations purposely or accidentally killing them by transmitting European diseases. The main goals in the expansion were to Christianize the Indians (as dictated by the pope), to gain trading power, and of course, to "acquire" the great mineral wealth of the Americas. This mineral wealth included vast amounts of gold and silver ore. The Spanish nation, mostly catholic and very much expansionist, looked with great greed towards the new discovered lands. In the year of 1511, the Spaniards invaded and subjugated the island of Cuba. Cortes was among the conquerors. When Fernando and Isabel died, the throne of Spain passed on to Carlos V, who later reigned also as emperor of Austria, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, and part of Borgona. With great precaution, he authorized Cortes to explore but not to conquest. The instructions of the king, though, included a clause by which Cortes, in cases of trouble, could take the actions that would best suit to the "service of Our Lord God". The clever Cortes later interpreted these words in his own way, adapting them to his own purpose.Cortes's fleet landed at what is now Vera Cruz on April 21, 1519. Eight months later he had already he had already reached the heart of the Aztec world - the great city of Tenochtitlan - where he had been received as a guest of honor. In the mean time he was informed that many vassal kings, who owed allegiance to the emperor Moctezuma, secretly detested him, and would readily support anyone who might help them throw off the hated Aztec yoke. The march of Cortes through Mexican lands can be explained mainly, according to Laurette Sejourne, by the undoubted talent that Cortes had for intrigue and betrayal, what allowed him to rapidly orient himself in the laberint of Mexican politi...
