- Gold and Silver: The Spanish were primarily motivated to explore the Americas in search of gold and silver. They believed that these precious metals would make them rich and powerful. Their hope of finding wealth in the Americas was fulfilled when they discovered vast amounts of gold and silver in Mexico and Peru.
- New Markets: Once they had established themselves in the Americas, the Spanish began to see the potential for trade and commerce in the new world. They developed a successful system of trade routes, which allowed them to transport goods between Spain and the Americas. Trade with the Americas became an essential part of the Spanish economy, and it helped to make Spain one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world at the time.
- Religious Conversion: The Spanish were motivated by a desire to convert indigenous people to Christianity. They believed that bringing Christianity to the Americas was their duty as good Catholics. The Spanish missionaries played a key role in the spread of Christianity in the Americas, and they were instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic Church in the Americas.