Question

What were the two main reasons Spain sent expeditions to the Americas?

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) riches and the spread of Catholicism.

The two main reasons Spain sent expeditions to the Americas were riches and the spread of Catholicism.

Spanish King Ferdinand de Aragon and Queen Isabella del Castile sponsored the trip of Christopher Columbus to explore and discover a new maritime route to the West Indies. As we know, he ended up discovering the American Continent on October 12, 1492. When the Spanish explorers realized that the new territory was full of raw materials and natural resources, they wanted to conquer and colonize, the new lands to exploit the natural resources and be rich, and to evangelize the Native American Indians to spread Catholicism.

The other options of the question were A) religious freedom and wealth. C) more land and democracy. D) democracy and to spread Catholicism.

Answer 2

1. The Crown of Castille was seeking for an alternative commercial route that would connect them to Far East Asia. The Expedition to the Americas was in fact, an expedition to find this route.
2. The Crown of Castille was promised by Columbus that he would conquer the lands he discovered in the name of that Crown. This was highly appealing to the Royal Couple as many riches could be located in these soon to be found territories.