Describe the means by which Spanish attempted to defend and spread Catholicism at home and abroad?
The Spanish attempted to defend and spread Catholicism at home and abroad through a variety of means.
In Spain itself, the Spanish Inquisition was established in 1478 to root out heresy and ensure religious conformity. The Inquisition targeted individuals suspected of practicing religions other than Catholicism, as well as Jews and Muslims who had converted to Christianity but were believed to still practice their original faiths in secret. The Inquisition used torture and imprisonment to coerce confessions and maintain religious orthodoxy.
Abroad, the Spanish Empire spread Catholicism through a process known as the "spiritual conquest." Spanish conquistadors and missionaries, such as the Franciscans and Jesuits, traveled to the Americas, Asia, and Africa to convert indigenous peoples to Catholicism. They built churches, established missions, and enforced Catholic practices among the native populations.
Additionally, Spanish explorers and missionaries often worked hand-in-hand with the conquistadors to ensure the spread of Catholicism. They played a key role in the conversion of indigenous peoples and the establishment of the Catholic Church in the territories conquered by the Spanish Empire.
Overall, the Spanish used a combination of military conquest, religious coercion, and missionary work to defend and spread Catholicism both at home and abroad during the height of their power in the 16th and 17th centuries.