The statements provided reflect various aspects of the Spanish Empire's influence on the spread of Christianity in the Americas. Here's an analysis of the key points:
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Violence and Conversion: Several statements indicate that Spain used both peaceful and violent methods of conversion for Indigenous populations. Historically, the Spanish often employed violent tactics to subdue and convert Indigenous peoples, which included warfare and forced labor. This results in a mixed approach to conversion that often relied more heavily on violence than on peaceful means (e.g., missionary work).
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Formation of Spain: The references to Spain forming a political entity through the unification of various kingdoms (including Navarre, Aragon, and the conquest of Granada) suggest that these political developments were significant in allowing Spain to pursue its imperial and missionary goals. Once unified, Spain had a stronger centralized power to undertake voyages to the New World with the intent of spreading Catholicism.
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Papal Influence: The mention of "freely enacting the pope's will" signifies the role of the Catholic Church in supporting Spanish imperial efforts. The Treaty of Tordesillas, for example, was ratified by the pope to divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, which included territories for missionary work.
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Granada as a Model: The statements about using the conquest of Granada as a possible model for conversion suggest that Spain saw its victory and subsequent efforts to convert Muslims in Granada as a precedent for converting Indigenous populations in the Americas. However, the idea that they sought peaceful conversion "at all costs" seems inconsistent with the historical record of violent conversions.
Taking these points into account, the most consistent and historically accurate conclusion from the provided statements is that Spain utilized both violence and some peaceful means to spread Christianity in the Americas, significantly influenced by its political unification and papal support.