Spain sought to change the New World into a Mini-Me, and as part of that, it wanted the indigenous peoples to convert to Christianity. Church leaders came up with a missions plan, which eventually grew from travelling priests into the missions compounds that can still be found throughout Florida, the Southwest U.S., and Central and South America. There, the friars befriended, cared for, educated, and taught trade skills to the orphans and the poor. One such friar was Pedro de Gante, who became known as "America's first teacher."
Spain sought to change the New World into a Mini-Me, and as part of that, it wanted the indigenous peoples to convert to Christianity. Church leaders came up with a missions plan, which eventually grew from travelling priests into the missions compounds that can still be found throughout Florida, the Southwest U.S., and Central and South America. There, the friars befriended, cared for, educated, and taught trade skills to the orphans and the poor. One such friar was Pedro de Gante, who became known as "America's first teacher."