What was the primary goal that Spanish should always shared in the south and southwest regions?

Answer 1

The primary goal of the Spanish in the southern and southwestern regions of present-day United States was to expand their territory, consolidate colonial power, and spread Christianity, particularly through the establishment of missions. They sought to secure land for agriculture and resource extraction, convert Indigenous populations to Christianity, and establish strongholds against rival European powers, such as France and England. This involved the construction of missions, presidios (military forts), and pueblos (settlements), facilitating both religious conversion and colonial settlement.