What was the influence of the Spanish and the Portuguese on the religions of Latin America?
The Spanish wanted to convert native people to Christianity.
The Spanish wanted to convert native people to Islam.
The Spanish wanted to convert native people to Buddhism
The influence of the Spanish and Portuguese on the religions of Latin America was primarily the spread of Christianity, specifically Catholicism. The Spanish and Portuguese colonizers sought to convert Native Americans and Africans to Christianity, leading to the establishment of Catholicism as the dominant religion in the region.
The Spanish established missions and schools to spread Christianity to the native populations, often forcibly converting them and suppressing indigenous religions. The Portuguese also played a significant role in spreading Catholicism in their colonies in Brazil and other parts of Latin America.
In addition to Catholicism, the Spanish and Portuguese also brought African slaves to Latin America who practiced traditional African religions. These religious practices often merged with Catholicism to create syncretic forms of spirituality, such as Santeria in Cuba and Candomble in Brazil.
Overall, the Spanish and Portuguese colonization of Latin America played a significant role in shaping the religious landscape of the region, with Catholicism becoming the dominant religion and syncretic practices emerging as a result of cultural exchanges between different groups.