Final answer:
The best description of the Age of Contact is that Spain and France claimed land in Texas, with the Spanish seeking gold and religious conversions and the French pursuing trade opportunities, especially in furs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defining the Age of Contact
The intial period when European powers, notably Spain and Portugal, began exploring and colonizing the 'New World' is referred to as the Age of Contact. This era was marked by the arrival of the Spanish, who established settlements throughout the Caribbean, Mesoamerica, and the Andes. The Spanish were primarily driven by the search for gold and the conversion of native populations to Catholicism. France, on the other hand, found value in North America through the abundance of land and the lucrative fur trade, leading to the establishment of their colonies.
Regarding the options given in the question, the best describes the defining characteristics of the Age of Contact would be that Spain and France claimed land in Texas. Spain aimed to find gold and spread Christianity, while France sought economic gains through trade. Other European nations, such as England and the Netherlands, also became involved later, each seeking their forms of wealth and power.
It is important to note that Native Americans did not go extinct despite the introduction of European diseases and conflicts; their populations were severely affected but many communities survived. Moreover, English settlements in Texas came later and were part of a different phase of colonization, separate from the initial Age of Contact. Thus, the statement about English and Spanish towns being made in Texas does not accurately describe the defining characteristics of this period.