What was the primary purpose of the Spanish missions in the Americas?

The primary purpose of the Spanish missions in the Americas was to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. The Spanish Crown wished to extend its influence and control over the newly acquired territories, and the establishment of missions served as a way to both achieve religious conversion and solidify Spanish presence in those areas. Missionaries, often Franciscan, Jesuit, or Dominican, were sent to educate and evangelize Indigenous populations, introducing them to Christianity, European customs, and agricultural practices.

While establishing trade routes, discovering new land, and building military bases were all aspects of Spanish colonial strategy, these activities often supplemented the main goal of religious conversion. The missions were fundamentally about spiritual expansion and the integration of Indigenous peoples into the Spanish colonial framework, which included both religious and economic elements. Thus, the focus on conversion distinguished the missions from other colonial initiatives that might have emphasized trade or military endeavors more heavily.