Final answer:
The main instruments of colonization used by the Spanish Empire in America were conquistadors and the encomienda system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main instruments of colonization used by the Spanish Empire in America were conquistadors and the encomienda system.
Conquistadors were Spanish explorers and conquerors who sought wealth and glory in the Americas. They were often granted the right to claim territory and gather resources in the name of the Spanish monarchy.
The encomienda system was a grant given to conquistadors that allowed them to extract labor and tribute from the indigenous peoples in the areas they conquered. These grants enabled the Spanish settlers to exploit and control the native populations.