Spain’s primary motive for conquering large areas of land in the sixteenth century was to gain wealth, resources, and power through colonization and exploitation of indigenous populations.
For those who require further information
Spain was motivated by various factors to conquer large areas of land in the sixteenth century. One of the primary motives was to gain wealth and power through colonization and exploitation of the new territories they acquired. Spain sought new sources of revenue after experiencing financially draining wars. As such, the potential for gold, silver and other valuable natural resources in the New World was an attractive source of wealth for the Spanish empire. It is estimated that between 1503 and 1660, Spain transported over 180 tons of silver and 16,000 tons of gold back to Spain.
In pursuit of wealth, Spain also exploited the local populations of the conquered territories who were forced into slavery and labor. In his journal, Bartolome de Las Casas, a Spanish priest, recorded the atrocities committed by the Spanish against the native people. He wrote: “Spaniards have acted in no other way during the past forty years, down to the present time, than as beasts, mongrels, and thieves, killing, terrorizing, afflicting, and torturing the native peoples, doing all this with the strangest and most varied new methods of cruelty.”
Apart from wealth and exploitation, religion was also a motivation. The Spanish empire was predominantly Catholic and sought to spread their faith to the New World. This led to the conversion of many native people to Christianity, even though it was often enforced upon them by force or coercion.
In summary, Spain’s primary motive for conquering large areas of land in the sixteenth century was motivated by wealth, resources, and power through colonization and exploitation of indigenous populations. This often came at a horrific cost for the native people who were enslaved, killed or forced into labor.
| Interesting facts on Spanish colonization |
|---|
| Spain founded the first European settlement in the New World in 1493 in present-day Dominican Republic. |
| Pizarro’s conquest of the Inca Empire in modern-day Peru added almost 600 tons of gold and silver to Spain’s wealth. |
| Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico with a small army of only 500 men. |
| Spanish colonization in the New World led to the introduction of European animals like horses, cows, and pigs to the Americas. |
| The introduction of new crops from the Old World to the Americas introduced new food sources like wheat, grapes, and bananas. |
Answer in video
The conflict over the division of land in the New World between Portugal and Spain was resolved by the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the territories, giving Portugal explicit rights to explore Brazil and Africa while Spain was given the vast majority of the New World. The treaty was later sanctioned by the Pope, but it was not respected by non-Christian powers, and after subsequent treaties, the matter was finally resolved in the Treaty of San Ildefonso. However, the rest of the colonial world was unaffected by these agreements.
Other approaches of answering your query
Motivations for colonization: Spain’s colonization goals were to extract gold and silver from the Americas, to stimulate the Spanish economy and make Spain a more powerful country. Spain also aimed to convert Native Americans to Christianity.
Gold, glory, God
The Spanish expansion has sometimes been succinctly summed up as being motivated by "gold, glory, God," that is, the search for material wealth, the enhancement of the conquerors’ and the crown’s position, and the expansion of Christianity to the exclusion of other religious traditions.
The Spanish expansion has sometimes been succinctly summed up as being motivated by "gold, glory, God," that is, the search for material wealth, the enhancement of the conquerors’ and the crown’s position, and the expansion of Christianity to the exclusion of other religious traditions.
They explored in Florida, New Mexico, and California. Juan P
Surely you will be interested
Then, What was the motive of the Spanish conquest? Driven by a desire for wealth, power and territories, countries such as Spain sent explorers known as conquistadors (conquerors) in search of new lands and trade routes. When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, there were two dominant empires there – the Aztec Empire and the Inca Empire.
What did the Spanish conquer in the 16th century?
Response: The two most famous conquistadors were Hernán Cortés who conquered the Aztec Empire and Francisco Pizarro who led the conquest of the Inca Empire.
Then, Why did Spain want to conquer lands in America? Answer to this: Spain, on the other hand, viewed the conquest and settlement of the American territories as extending Spain’s language, laws, customs, culture, and religion to the new territories. Missionaries often accompanied discoverers and explorers.
Consequently, What are the goals of the Spaniards in conquering and colonizing other lands?
Answer to this: Aside from spiritual conquest through religious conversion, Spain hoped to pacify areas that held extractable natural resources such as iron, tin, copper, salt, silver, gold, hardwoods, tar and other such resources, which could then be exploited by investors.
Similar
How did the Spanish conquer the New World? As news of the Spanish conquest spread, wealth-hungry Spaniards poured into the New World seeking land, gold, and titles. A New World empire spread from Spain’s Caribbean foothold.
One may also ask, Why did Spain want to defend its territory in the eighteenth century?
Answer: In the eighteenth century, the Spanish crown realized that its territorial claims needed to be defended, particularly in the wake of its visible weakness during the Seven Years’ War when Britain captured the important Spanish ports of Havana and Manila.
Hereof, Why was the Caribbean important during the Spanish conquest?
Response will be: The patterns set in the Caribbean were replicated throughout the expanding Spanish sphere, so although the importance of the Caribbean quickly faded after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, many of those participating in those conquests had started their exploits in the Caribbean.
Similarly one may ask, Why did the Spanish colonize Spain? Response: While they all shared a desire for wealth and power, their motivations for colonization differed somewhat, and thus the pattern and success of their colonies varied significantly. Spain was driven by three main motivations. Columbus, in his voyage, sought fame and fortune, as did his Spanish sponsors.