Answer:
Spain's primary motive for establishing missions in Texas was to extend its influence and maintain control over the region.
Here's a step-by-step explanation:
1. Spain viewed Texas as a strategic area due to its proximity to important resources and trade routes.
2. By establishing missions, Spain aimed to convert Native American populations to Catholicism, which was an important aspect of Spanish colonial policy.
3. The missions served as centers for religious instruction, where priests could convert indigenous people and integrate them into the Spanish colonial system.
4. Alongside religious conversion, the missions also facilitated Spanish control over the land and resources in Texas.
5. The mission system acted as a means of pacifying and "civilizing" Native American groups, which helped Spain maintain control over the region and prevent other European powers from establishing a foothold.
6. The missions also served as a hub for agricultural production, providing sustenance for the Spanish settlers and the native population.
7. Furthermore, the missions acted as a stepping stone for Spanish colonization by establishing a Spanish presence in the area, which could later be expanded upon.
In summary, Spain's primary motives for establishing missions in Texas were to extend its control, convert Native Americans to Catholicism, pacify the indigenous population, exploit resources, and establish a foundation for further colonization.