• Ambition: Spanish explorers were driven by a desire for wealth, power, and glory. They sought to make their fortunes by finding new sources of gold and silver, establishing new colonies, and defeating their rivals.
• Courage: Spanish explorers were fearless adventurers who were not afraid to take risks. They sailed across uncharted waters, ventured into unknown lands, and faced numerous dangers in their quest for riches and glory.
• Devotion: Spanish explorers were deeply religious men who believed that they were on a mission from God to spread Christianity to the New World. They saw their conquests as a way to bring the Catholic faith to the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
• Ruthlessness: Spanish explorers were often ruthless in their pursuit of their goals. They did not hesitate to use violence to subdue the indigenous peoples of the Americas, and they often treated them with cruelty.
• Innovation: Spanish explorers were pioneers in the fields of navigation and exploration. They developed new ships and sailing techniques that allowed them to voyage across the ocean and reach the New World.
The Spanish explorers were a complex and often contradictory group of men. They were motivated by a mix of greed, ambition, and religious zeal. They achieved great things, but they also committed great atrocities. However, their legacy is one of enduring courage, discovery, and adventure.