STATE AND CHURCH
From the very beginning, the Spanish and Portuguese were determined to convert the natives to Christianity. The Catholic missionaries dispersed to different parts of the empire and brought Native Americans together into villages. In those villages, the natives were to be converted, taught trades, and were encouraged to continue growing crops. Aside from the missions, the Catholic Church built cathedrals, hospitals, orphanages and schools. The schools taught Native American students reading, writing, and math.