What was the main purpose of the early Spanish missions? A) to establish secure borders for Spanish settlers B) to provide forma
l education for Native American children C) to teach Catholicism and the Spanish language to Native Americans D) to establish a marketplace to trade goods between Spanish settlers and Native Americans
C) to teach Catholicism and the Spanish language to Native Americans
The missions were run by Catholic priests with the goal of converting Native Americans. The soldiers or conquistadors were expected to protect the missions from attack as well as support the priests in their mission. Missions were settled along the northern border of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Missions could be found in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. These missions provided a large base of conversion for the Spanish Empire. Along with conversion the missions were used to educate Native Americans in the Spanish language and how to read. Much of the reading taking place was with the Bible and religious readings.
