Question

A fort guarded by a Spanish captain and soldiers to protect the mission and its people?

Answer 1

The correct answer is "Presidio".

Summary: Spanish colonization had three clear and defined goals in the current territory of the United States:  

1. Discover gold and silver deposits.

2. Convert the Indians and native tribes to Christianity.

3. Protect the Spanish missions and settlements against pirates, hostile Native Americans, as well as colonists from France and England.

This third goal was the ultimate aim of the presidios.