Which of the following was NOT listed as a motive for conquistadors?

• A. To serve God
• B. To get rich
• C. To increase power of Spain
• D. To explore new forms of government

Answer: (D)

Conquistadors were driven by three main motivations: spreading Catholicism, seeking immense wealth, and earning prestige and power for themselves and Spain. The drive to convert indigenous peoples and propagate the faith pulled many into new lands; the lure of gold and other riches incentivized brutal extraction and settlement; and gaining glory—both personal fame and Spain’s global prestige—pushed continued expeditions. Exploring new forms of government wasn’t a motive that guided their ventures; governance ideas or experiments came later as colonial systems were established, but they weren’t the reasons they set out across the oceans.