God:
* Religious Zeal: The Spanish saw their expansion as a holy mission to spread Christianity and convert indigenous populations to Catholicism. This was driven by strong religious conviction, fueled by the Reconquista experience in Spain, where they had driven out the Moors.
* Conversion and Salvation: The Spanish believed they were bringing salvation to the natives and saving them from paganism. This belief often justified forceful conversion and sometimes even violence.
* The role of the Church: The Catholic Church played a significant role in promoting and supporting Spanish expansion. Missionaries accompanied conquistadors, and the Church often gained considerable power and wealth in the new territories.
Gold:
* Economic Gain: The Spanish were motivated by the desire for wealth, and the Americas promised vast riches in the form of gold, silver, and other resources. This was driven by the economic needs of the Spanish monarchy and the aspirations of individuals seeking fortune.
* Mercantilism: The Spanish empire embraced mercantilism, a system that sought to accumulate wealth through trade and control over colonies. This system heavily influenced Spanish expansionism, emphasizing the extraction of resources and the creation of a favorable balance of trade.
* Royal Patronage: The Crown heavily funded expeditions and rewarded successful conquistadors with land grants and titles. The promise of riches fueled the ambition of many individuals seeking a fortune in the New World.
Glory:
* Personal Fame and Honor: Many conquistadors were driven by the desire for personal glory and recognition, seeking to carve their names in history and become heroes. This motivated them to achieve great feats of exploration, conquest, and wealth accumulation.
* National Prestige: Spanish expansionism was also driven by the desire to enhance Spain's standing in the world and establish its dominance as a global power. This quest for prestige often led to competition with other European powers for control over overseas territories.
* Territorial Expansion: The desire to expand the Spanish empire and claim new lands for the crown was a significant motivator for many expeditions. This desire for territorial expansion was fueled by a sense of nationalism and imperial ambition.
Conclusion:
Spanish expansionism was a complex phenomenon driven by a complex interplay of motivations. While God, gold, and glory all played significant roles, their relative importance varied depending on the time, the individual, and the specific situation. It's important to remember that these motivations were not mutually exclusive, and often intersected and reinforced each other.