What was the primary purpose of the Spanish mission system in North America?

The primary purpose of the Spanish mission system in North America was to spread Christianity and establish Spanish territorial claims. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, Spanish missionaries aimed to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity, particularly Catholicism. The establishment of missions served not only as religious centers but also as a means to secure Spanish claims to vast territories, which were often justified through the conversion of Native Americans to Christianity.

Missions were strategically located to extend Spanish influence, facilitate the settlement of European populations, and integrate Native American societies into colonial frameworks. By converting Indigenous peoples, Spain sought to both enhance its religious and imperial ambitions, creating a cultural and spiritual link to the territories they claimed.

While trade relations and resource extraction were important aspects of colonial endeavors, they were secondary to the overarching goals of religious conversion and territorial expansion. The military presence in the form of presidios coexisted with these missions, but the primary focus remained on the missionaries' role in promoting Catholicism and asserting Spain’s dominance over the New World.