1. The Spanish conquests were driven by a desire for wealth and power, particularly gold and silver. This motivated them to exploit the native populations and resources, leading to the establishment of vast colonial empires in the Americas.
2. The Spanish brought with them their culture, language, and religion, which had a profound and lasting impact on the societies they encountered. This included the introduction of Catholicism, the Spanish language, and European agricultural practices, all of which contributed to the complex cultural landscape of Latin America today.