* To claim land and resources: Like other European powers, Spain was driven by the desire to expand its empire and control new territory. They aimed to exploit the natural resources of the region, particularly gold and silver, and establish trade routes.
* To convert Native Americans to Christianity: The Spanish saw it as their duty to spread Catholicism, and they actively sought to convert the indigenous populations they encountered. Missions were established to teach Christianity and European ways of life.
* To defend against other European powers: The Southeast was a strategic location for Spain, as it was near the French and English colonies in the North. Outposts helped to control the region and prevent rival European powers from encroaching on Spanish territory.
The most famous example of a Spanish outpost in the Southeast is St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded in 1565 and is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States.