Why did Spaniards explore Texas?

Spaniards explored Texas primarily to find riches and claim new lands. This exploration was driven by the desire for resources such as gold and silver, which were highly sought after in Europe during the Age of Exploration. Wealth generated from these resources was a significant motivator not only for individual explorers but also for Spain as a nation looking to expand its empire. Claiming new territories was also essential for increasing Spain's influence in the New World and establishing its presence against rival European powers.

While spreading Christianity was another goal of Spanish expeditions, and efforts to evangelize Indigenous peoples did occur, the immediate and more pressing motivation across many explorations, including those in Texas, was often financial gain and establishment of territorial claims. Establishing trading routes and escaping political unrest were factors that impacted exploration but were not the primary incentives for the Spanish expeditions in Texas specifically. The search for wealth and the ambition to expand the Spanish Empire were the dominant forces behind their exploration efforts.