Question

Analyze the following statements about the Spanish Empire. What influenced the spread of Christianity from Europe to the Americas?(1 point) Responses After Spain merged the kingdoms of Granada and Portugal, it was able to use Portugal as a launching point to spread Christianity to the Americas. Spain used both peaceful and extremely violent methods of conversion on Indigenous populations in the New World. After Spain merged the kingdoms of Granada and Portugal, it was able to use Portugal as a launching point to spread Christianity to the Americas. Spain used both peaceful and extremely violent methods of conversion on Indigenous populations in the New World. When Spain was fully formed as its own political entity, the Spanish were able to translate their religious history into missionary voyages to the New World. Spain would use the example of the conquest of Granada to peacefully convert Indigenous populations, avoiding violence at all costs. When Spain was fully formed as its own political entity, the Spanish were able to translate their religious history into missionary voyages to the New World. Spain would use the example of the conquest of Granada to peacefully convert Indigenous populations, avoiding violence at all costs. The joining of Navarre and Aragon allowed the Spanish to acquire Granada. The tactics used to acquire Granada were violent. After the union, Spain was able to freely enact the pope’s will and spread Catholicism to the New World. The joining of Navarre and Aragon allowed the Spanish to acquire Granada. The tactics used to acquire Granada were violent. After the union, Spain was able to freely enact the pope’s will and spread Catholicism to the New World. When Spain was fully formed as its own political entity, the Spanish were able to translate their religious history into missionary voyages to the New World. They used both peaceful and extremely violent methods of conversion on Indigenous populations. When Spain was fully formed as its own political entity, the Spanish were able to translate their religious history into missionary voyages to the New World. They used both peaceful and extremely violent methods of conversion on Indigenous populations. Skip to navigation

Answer 1

The statements provided about the Spanish Empire highlight various influences and methods associated with the spread of Christianity from Europe to the Americas. Here's an analysis of the key points:

1. Merging of Kingdoms: The claim that "After Spain merged the kingdoms of Granada and Portugal" is inaccurate, as the Kingdom of Portugal was never part of Spain. Portugal remained an independent kingdom during the period of Spanish expansion. However, Spain did unify under the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, after the Reconquista, which concluded with the conquest of Granada in 1492. This event is significant as it marked the completion of the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule and coincided with the beginning of overseas explorations.

2. Violent and Peaceful Methods: It is true that the Spaniards used both peaceful and violent methods to convert Indigenous populations. The missionary efforts often involved the establishment of missions and peaceful education, but they were frequently accompanied by violent conquests, enslavement, and other forms of coercion. This duality in methods reflects the complex nature of colonial expansion.

3. Religious History and Missionary Voyages: The establishment of Spain as a singular political entity allowed it to undertake missionary voyages. The Spanish Crown viewed the conversion of Indigenous peoples as part of its Christian duty, leading to the establishment of missions across the Americas. The Spanish used their historical context—especially the Reconquista—to frame their mission as a continuation of their effort to spread Catholicism.

4. Papal Support: Spain gained papal backing to spread Catholicism, especially with the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), which divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal and sanctioned their claims under the guise of spreading Christianity. This underscores the church's role in the expansion of the Spanish Empire.

5. Misrepresentation of Events: The assertion that "Spain would use the example of the conquest of Granada to peacefully convert Indigenous populations, avoiding violence at all costs" is misleading. The conquest of Granada involved significant military action and didn't serve as a model for peaceful conversion in the Americas. In reality, the conquest and subsequent missionary efforts in the New World often resulted in violence.

6. Influence of Unions and Conquests: The mention of the union of Navarre and Aragon as contributing to the acquisition of Granada may lead to misunderstanding; the key players in consolidating power and influence for overseas missions were primarily Ferdinand and Isabella rather than state unions of Navarre and Aragon in this specific context.

In conclusion, the spread of Christianity from Europe to the Americas was largely influenced by Spain's completion of the Reconquista, the desire for empire and conversion, the establishment of missions, the partnership with the Catholic Church, and the combination of peaceful and violent methods in their interactions with Indigenous populations. The legacy of these actions has left a complex and often painful impact on the cultures and societies of the Americas.