14. Why did the Spanish establish missions in the Southwest of North America? a. To convert Native Americans to Christianity
b. Encourage Spanish immigration
c. To search for furt
d. To Protect its trade routes with Asia from being disrupted

consequently the Spanish came to view the northern frontier of their empire as a defensive barrier and as a place where pagan souls might be saved. In what are now the states of Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, missions were founded to propagate the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church.

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b. sec, foreign relations