The Spaniards' task after the fall of Tenochtitlan is to settle and expand the new domains on the mainland of North and Central America that become known as New Spain.

Cortes dispatches several expeditions to survey the areas beyond the Valley of Mexico and to establish political control over the land and its inhabitants.

Once released from the central political control of Tenochtitlan, most towns surrender to Cortes's men.

The capital of the new colony, as a symbol of political continuity, is to be built squarely atop the ruins of Tenochtitlan and is renamed Mexico after the Mexica tribe.