What were the three main reasons why Spanish explorers established colonies in the Americas

The three main reasons for establishing colonies in the Americas by the Spanish were gaining wealth, gaining territory, and spreading their influence.

Explanation:

The Spanish were the first that managed to reach the Americas in the late 15th century. Once they did, they were not losing any time. They saw a big opportunity in the lands and wanted to use it to the maximum. Lot of expeditions were organized, mostly composed of military personnel, so that they can conquer the places that are explored. This indeed happened, and the Spanish managed to conquer enormous amounts of land in South, Central, and North America.

The prime motive for the Spanish was the wealth, mainly gold and silver, and they did managed to get hold on loads of them. Also, the Crown of Castille wanted to expand its territory and establish itself in the Americas, so lot of territory was conquered and lot of people subjugated or eradicated in the process. The Spanish wanted to spread their influence too, and this was done by spreading the Catholicism, imposing their language, they way of living, and they system. The end result was the destruction of lot of civilizations in the Americas, while the Spanish became and remained for some time the biggest force in these two continents.