Compare The Spanish Settlement And Exploitation Of The New World After Spain

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After Spain laid claim to the New World in 1492, all subsequent Spanish social and economic relations with indigenous people were constrained by Royal Decree. Spain’s agenda for settlement and exploitation was undertaken primarily by priests, military men, and officials – not private individuals acting on their own. Their goals were to reap maximum economic, military, and spiritual benefit from a minimal investment of personnel and resources. Spain wished to establish an idealistic, pluralistic empire that reaped glory for the nobles who received commissions as field commanders and governors, jobs and opportunities for the Spanish middle class, riches for the Crown, and souls for the church. Accordingly, Spanish administrators established