What was the purpose of the spanish missions in new spain?

The Spanish communities which were set up by Spain in North America during the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries are known as Spanish Missions. The missions spread Roman Catholicism in the Americas. these missions had dual purpose, the first was conversion and acculturation of natives and the other was to pacify the areas for colonial purposes. The missions helped in pacifying the areas that were abundant with natural resources for the exploitation by the spanish investors.

the indians crossed artificial boundaries, setting the stage for conflict