Here's a breakdown of the key motivations:
* Gold and Silver: The Spanish conquistadors were driven by the lure of gold and silver. They believed the Americas held vast riches, and their expeditions were fueled by the desire to exploit these resources.
* Trade: The Spanish sought to establish trade routes with the New World, both to bring back valuable commodities like gold and silver, but also to export manufactured goods from Spain.
* Land and Power: Spain's ambition extended beyond mere riches. They aimed to establish colonies, expand their empire, and gain political and military power on the global stage. This was further fueled by religious zeal and the desire to spread Catholicism.
While the Spanish did establish colonies and contribute to cultural exchange, these objectives were ultimately secondary to their core interest in wealth, which fueled their exploration, conquest, and exploitation of the New World.