Final answer:
During the 1500s, thousands of Spanish colonists, mostly men, went to the New World, attracted by the prospects of wealth and the opportunity to establish a new life. Precise numbers are uncertain, but it is evident that many Spaniards migrated to the Americas during this period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spanish Colonists in the New World
In the 1500's, thousands of Spanish colonists ventured to the New World. These adventurers, mostly males, were drawn by tales of great wealth, the chance to claim land, and to spread Christianity.
Conquistadors such as Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro became the most famous Spanish adventurers during this time. The promise of gold and silver as well as the potential for higher social status lured many to the Americas.
Although the precise number of Spanish colonists during the 1500s is hard to determine, records indicate that the Spanish settlements did grow significantly, with notable expansion into areas that would become the United States and the Philippines.
Unfortunately, this influx of Spaniards brought devastating diseases to the native populations, decimating their numbers and societal structures.
While exact figures for the number of colonists are not specified in the given references, the information from the era suggests that the Spanish colonization process was a massive undertaking. Thousands of individuals participated in the colonization of the Americas.
The emphasis on the Spanish conquest of Middle America reflects the tragic impact this colonization had on the indigenous populations, as well as the role of the settlers in the newly established Spanish colonial society.