Which of the following statements best describes the role of missionaries in the Americas?

Question

Missionaries wanted to convert Indigenous people and integrate them into European colonial culture
Missionaries focused on social and economic welfare rather than religious beliefs
Missionaries used military force to conquer Indigenous people, such as the Aztec and Inca
Missionary were exclusively concerned with eradicating Indigenous cultures and beliefs

Answer 1

The statement that best describes the role of missionaries in the Americas is:

Missionaries wanted to convert Indigenous people and integrate them into European colonial culture.

Missionaries often sought to spread Christianity among Indigenous populations, which included efforts to convert them to European religious practices and integrate them into the societal norms and cultures of European colonizers. While there were instances of violence and coercion in the process, the primary focus of missionaries was generally on conversion and cultural assimilation rather than outright military conquest.