What role did conquistadors play in the New World?

Conquistadors played a crucial role in the exploration and conquest of the New World, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries. Their primary mission was to explore uncharted territories and establish control over the indigenous empires that existed there. Famous conquistadors like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro led expeditions that resulted in the downfall of powerful civilizations such as the Aztecs and Incas, respectively.

These conquerors leveraged military superiority, European technology, and alliances with certain indigenous groups to overthrow native rulers. Their efforts were driven by a combination of motives, including the pursuit of wealth, land, and the spread of Christianity. The conquests led to significant territorial expansion for Spain and the establishment of colonial structures that would shape the history of the Americas.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of conquistadors. While some conquistadors may have engaged in missionary activities or influenced colonial governance later, their defining action was not negotiation of trade agreements or purely missionary work but rather the direct engagement in exploration and military conquest. Therefore, the role of conquistadors is best encapsulated by their exploration and conquest of indigenous empires.