After 1769, the life of the California natives [Native Americans] who came in contact with the Spanish was reshaped by the mission fathers, not the townspeople of the pueblos or the soldiers of the presidios. The Franciscans came to California not merely to convert the tribes to Christianity but to train them for life in a European colonial society. Conversion was seldom an entirely voluntary process, and converts (neophytes) were not left to return to their old ways but were required to live in the walled mission enclosure or on rancherías, separate settlements sponsored by missions although located some distance from the mission proper. There they were taught Spanish as well as the tenets of their new religion and trained in skills that would fit them for their new lives: brickmaking and construction, raising cattle and horses, blacksmithing, weaving, tanning hides, etc.

Question

After 1769, the life of the California natives [Native Americans] who came in contact with the Spanish was reshaped by the mission fathers, not the townspeople of the pueblos or the soldiers of the presidios. The Franciscans came to California not merely to convert the tribes to Christianity but to train them for life in a European colonial society. Conversion was seldom an entirely voluntary process, and converts (neophytes) were not left to return to their old ways but were required to live in the walled mission enclosure or on rancherías, separate settlements sponsored by missions although located some distance from the mission proper. There they were taught Spanish as well as the tenets of their new religion and trained in skills that would fit them for their new lives: brickmaking and construction, raising cattle and horses, blacksmithing, weaving, tanning hides, etc.
— Library of Congress
Use the passage to answer the question.
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Inferring from this text, why might the Spanish have felt it important to train the natives of California for a "European colonial society"?
(1 point)
• to make it easier to govern the Native Americans
• to prevent the Native Americans from leaving
• to make the Native Americans equals in all colonial societies
• to spread European beliefs and language

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The most suitable inference from the text regarding why the Spanish might have felt it important to train the natives of California for a "European colonial society" is:

• to spread European beliefs and language

The passage emphasizes the role of the Spanish missionaries in converting Native Americans to Christianity, teaching them Spanish, and training them for life in a European colonial context. This suggests that spreading European beliefs and language was a key motivation behind their efforts.