Final answer:
The Spanish conquistadors' quest for gold, land, and conversion of natives shaped their exploration in the Americas, leading them to conquer native empires and become miners in pursuit of wealth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish conquistadors embarked on explorations primarily driven by the search for wealth, particularly gold, and the desire for both territorial expansion and the spread of Christianity. Figures such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro sought to acquire hereditary privileges, tribute from the natives, and a pension for their services. They engaged in brutal tactics to conquer native empires like the Aztecs and Incas.
The pursuit of precious metals inevitably led the conquistadors to become miners in areas like New Mexico, where they were determined to find the fabled riches that had been elusive in other regions. The encomienda system further empowered them to extract labor and produce from the native population. Ultimately, such exploitative practices, inspired by ambitious goals, resulted in the establishment of a colonial society ruling over a subjugated indigenous populace.