Nayara+A

 Spain's influence expands.

 Spain's American colonies helped make it the richest, most powerful in the world during mush of the 16th century. Throughout the 16th century, Spain also increased its military might. To protect its treasure- filled ships, Spain built a powerful navy. The Spanish also strengthened theis other military forces, creating a skifull and determined army.

Dreams of new conquests prompted Spain to back a series of expeditions into the southwestern United States. The Spanish actually had settled in parts of United States before they even dreamed of building an empire on the American mainland. By 1540, after building an empire that stretched from Mexico to Peru, the Spanish once again looked to the land that is now the United States. As a result, the Spanish monarchy assigned mostly priests to explore and colonize the future United States. The conquistadors had come in search of weath. The priests who accompanied them had come in search of converts. In the winter of 1609- 1610, Pedro de Peralta  called New Mexico, led settlers to tributary on the upper Rio Grande.

In the next to decades, a string of Christian missions arose among the Pueblo , the native inhabitants of the region. Scattered nissions, forts, and small ranches dotted the lands of New Mexico.