The correct answer is A) to serve as an outpost of Spain's empire and protection of its northern border from France.
The primary purpose of Spain's colony of New Mexico was to serve as an outpost of Spain's empire and protection of its northern border from France.
The Spanish people wanted to protect their territory from other European countries invasions. Juan de Onate was the Spanish who led the expedition into this new territory, arrived at the lands of New Mexico and settled in for the first time. He and his men were searching for rich minerals such as gold or other raw materials for the crown of Spain. He settled in the region of what today is Santa Fe and they started to evangelize the Native American Indians in the Christian doctrine.