Final answer:
The Spanish colonized the Americas for wealth, power, and the spread of Christianity. The church played a significant role in this colonization by spreading Christianity among the indigenous people and controlling the behavior of the colonizers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish colonized the Americas due to their desire for wealth, power, and the spread of Christianity. Spain saw the opportunity to exploit the abundant resources in the New World, including gold and silver, which would greatly enrich the Spanish Empire. The church played a significant role in this colonization as it was an instrument of control and conversion. The Spanish crown relied heavily on the Catholic Church to spread Christianity among the indigenous people, establish missions, and justify their actions through the doctrine of the 'Requerimiento.' The church also played a role in controlling the behavior of the colonizers, ensuring they maintained Catholic values and morals.