History The Spanish Conquistadors Questions Medium
The Spanish conquistadors justified their actions and conquests through a combination of religious, economic, and political justifications.
Religiously, the conquistadors saw themselves as agents of the Catholic Church and believed that their mission was to spread Christianity to the indigenous peoples they encountered. They viewed the native populations as "heathens" who needed to be converted to the "true faith." This religious justification provided them with a sense of moral duty and divine approval for their actions.
Economically, the conquistadors sought to acquire wealth and resources for themselves and for the Spanish Crown. They justified their conquests by claiming that they were bringing civilization and progress to the newly discovered lands. They believed that by exploiting the resources and labor of the indigenous peoples, they were bringing economic prosperity to both Spain and the conquered territories.
Politically, the Spanish conquistadors justified their actions by asserting the authority of the Spanish Crown and their own role as representatives of the monarchy. They saw themselves as expanding the Spanish Empire and bringing the territories under Spanish control. They argued that their conquests were necessary for the greater glory and power of Spain.
Overall, the Spanish conquistadors justified their actions and conquests through a combination of religious, economic, and political motivations, believing that they were bringing Christianity, wealth, and power to the newly discovered lands.