ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Spanish missions in South America

Hey there, kiddo! Today, we're going to talk about the Spanish missions in South America.

Do you know what a mission is? It's a religious place where people go to learn about and worship their religion.

So, back in the 16th century, Spain came to South America and began to colonize the land. They wanted to convert the native people living there to Christianity, so they built missions all around the continent.

These missions were often built in remote areas where the native people lived, and they were run by priests and other members of the church. The missions were like little towns, with buildings for worship, housing for the priests, and places for the native people to live and work.

The native people who joined the missions were taught how to live like Europeans, which meant they had to learn Spanish and adopt new customs and traditions. They were also taught about Christianity and how to worship in the Catholic faith.

The priests who ran the missions wanted to protect the native people from the harsh treatment of the Spanish conquistadors, who often enslaved and mistreated them. By converting them to Christianity, the priests believed they could protect their souls and give them a better, more dignified life.

Over time, the missions became centers of agriculture, where the native people were taught to farm the land and raise cattle. They produced crops and goods that were traded with other colonies and brought wealth to the region.

However, the missions were not always successful. Some native people rebelled against the Spanish and refused to convert, which often led to violent conflicts. And eventually, the missions lost their power and influence as more colonists arrived in South America and took control of the land.

So, that's the story of the Spanish missions in South America. They were religious places where the native people were taught to live like Europeans and worship in the Catholic faith. They also became centers of agriculture and trade, but ultimately lost their influence as Spain's colonization of South America continued.