Final answer:
Christianity played a significant role in Spanish colonization and empire building. The Spanish used Christianity to justify their conquests and convert the indigenous populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Christianity played a significant role in Spanish colonization and empire building. The Spanish used Christianity to justify their conquests and convert the indigenous populations. Catholic missionaries were sent to teach Christianity to the native peoples, resulting in the establishment of missions throughout the colonies. The Spanish saw native peoples as their subjects and believed they had the right to control both their labor and their religious beliefs.