Exploring Spanish Colonization and Its Impact on Native Americans

What was the primary motivation behind the Spanish conquests in the Americas?

• Economic stability

• Scientific exploration

• Establishing trade routes

• Imperialist motives of God, glory, and gold

Which empire was the largest to be overtaken by the Spanish during their conquests?

• The Olmec Empire

• The Mayan Empire

• The Aztec Empire

• The Incan Empire

Who was the most famous conquistador that defeated the Aztec King Montezuma?

• Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar

• Francisco Pizarro

• Hernán Cortés

• Juan Ponce de León

What was the highest social class in New Spain?

• Mestizos

• Indigenous peoples

• Creoles

• Peninsulares

What was the main purpose of the caste system in New Spain?

• To manage trade

• To organize society based on ancestry and birthplace

• To promote education

• To control the military

What system of labor was criticized for its harsh treatment of Native Americans?

• Mercantilism

• Capitalism

• Encomienda

• Feudalism

Who was a notable critic of the encomienda system?

• Christopher Columbus

• Bartolomé de las Casas

• Vasco Núñez de Balboa

• Amerigo Vespucci

What was the primary goal of the Spanish missions in California?

• Trade with Native Americans

• Military defense

• Assimilation of Native Americans

• Mining gold and silver

Which city started off as a Spanish mission?

• San Francisco

• Phoenix

• Denver

• Las Vegas

What role did the Spanish missions serve besides being religious centers?

• Artistic guilds

• Agricultural schools

• Community centers

• Trade hubs