Please this is for my cumulative exam Why was New Mexico important to the Spaniards?

A. New Mexico provided water to the southern neighbors.

B. New Mexico was a defensive buffer between New Spain and other explorers.

C New Mexico produced crops and goods desired in Mexico.

D. New Mexico was important because the friars had mined so much gold.

The answer is B, New Mexico was a defensive buffer between New Spain and other explorers.

these civilizations were located around fertile rivers, where they could produce an abundance of crops

the  wilmot proviso  was designed to eliminate  slavery  within the  landacquired as a result of the mexican war (1846-48). fearing the addition of a pro-slave territory, pennsylvania congressman david  wilmot proposedhis amendment to the bill.