I guess the answer is that the church leaders began selling them as a way of raising money
Answer:
The new world meant Evangelization opportunities, Expansion not only for The countries but for the Catholic religion.
Explanation:
During the Age of discovery(15th-17th century), the catholic church was very interested in this new land, and catholic missions were sent to spread the Christianism and convert the Natives of the Americas.
The reason behind this evangelization process is that for Portugal and Spain Empires the religion was an integral part in their country, Religion ruled these countries at such rates that they even controlled the decisions being made in the empires with the Patronato, a system by the catholic church that permitted the actions made by the kings. The state responded to the Holy See. So the catholic Church viewed this new colonies as a way of expanding their religion to natives that were beleived to be lesser beings in need of enlightment from the holy church.
Farming/ slavery.
This answer really depends on what the question is asking, the southern economy banked heavily off of farming, BUT it was impossible to provide and have such an abundance of crops without slavery. So, it depends on the options you have.
Hope this helps, man!
