Final answer:
The Spanish found immense wealth in Bolivia, specifically in Potosí, where they discovered vast quantities of silver. The city of Potosí became a significant mining center, contributing greatly to Spain's economy through mercantilism. Despite indigenous resistance, the wealth from silver mines greatly enriched the Spanish Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conquest and Wealth in Bolivia
During their conquests in South America, particularly in Bolivia, the Spanish found immense wealth in the form of precious metals. The city of Potosí was established by the Spanish in 1542 after discovering rich veins of silver in the nearby Cerro Rico. This mountain was essentially a massive deposit of silver, contributing greatly to the wealth of the Spanish empire. The exploitation of the silver mines relied heavily on the forced labor of indigenous peoples and imported African slaves, under brutal conditions. The silver from Potosí not only made individual conquistadors rich but also played a significant role in the global economy, influencing Spain's mercantilist policies.
The conquistadors, initially motivated by stories of gold and the legendary El Dorado, desired to replicate the military conquests similar to those they had achieved against the Moors in Spain. This mentality, combined with the allure of gold and silver, served as a driving force behind their campaigns in the New World. Despite resistance from native civilizations like the Incas, who under Manco Inca sieged Cuzco in 1536, the Spanish subdued the indigenous population and imposed their rule and religion, establishing control over the region.