Question

letter from king ferdinand and queen isabella of spain to the governor of hispaniola, 1503
\our desire is that the christians not lack people to work their holdings and to take out what gold there is. it also is our desire that the indians live in community with the christians, because they then will help each other cultivate and settle the island, take out the gold, and bring profit to spain.
therefore, we command you, our governor, to compel the indians to associate with the christians. the indians should work on the christians’ building, mine the gold, till the fields, and produce food for the christians.
this the indians shall perform as free people, which they are, and not as slaves. also, see to it that the indians are well treated, with those who become christians better treated than the others. do not consent or allow any person to do them any harm or oppress them.\
—ferdinand, king and queen isabella, “instruction to commander nicolás de ovando, 1503, new iberian world: a documentary history of the discovery and settlement of latin america to the early 17th century, vol. ii
according to the source above, which of the following best describes the goal of the spanish?
select one answer
a to do whatever it takes to live in peace with native americans.

b to convert native americans to christianity

c to ensure native americans are not enslaved.

d to convince native americans to help the spanish find gold.

Explanation:

The letter from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella emphasizes making the Indians work for Christians (mining gold, farming) but also treating them as free people and ensuring they become Christians (better treated than others, no harm). Option B states "To convert Native Americans to Christianity" which aligns with the desire for Indians to become Christians. Option A is too vague, C focuses on not enslaving (but the main goal isn't just that), D is about helping find gold (but the text also has a religious conversion aspect). So B is the best fit.

Answer:

B. To convert Native Americans to Christianity