Question

What was the primary economic motivation for Spain's interactions with Native Americans during the early exploration of the Americas?

A) To establish cultural exchanges and foster peaceful relationships
B) To create alliances with Native American empires
C) To accumulate gold and precious metals for enriching the Spanish empire
D) To promote agricultural practices and trade with the Native Americans

Answer 1

The primary economic motivation for Spain's interactions with Native Americans during the early exploration of the Americas was to accumulate gold and precious metals for enriching the Spanish empire.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary economic motivation for Spain's interactions with Native Americans during the early exploration of the Americas was C) To accumulate gold and precious metals for enriching the Spanish empire.

In the early 1500s, Europeans began founding new settlements in the Americas with the goal of gaining wealth and expanding their empires. Spain, in particular, sought to accumulate vast amounts of gold and precious metals from the Americas to enrich their empire. This motivation was driven by the belief that these natural resources were abundant in the New World.

An example of Spain's pursuit of wealth through interactions with Native Americans is the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico, where a significant amount of gold and other treasures were acquired.