Why were native Americans forced to accept catholic?

Answer 1

Native Americans were often forced to accept Catholicism due to Spanish and French colonial policies aimed at converting Indigenous peoples to Christianity as part of their broader efforts to colonize and control the Americas. Missionaries viewed conversion as a means to "civilize" Native populations, believing that Christianity would lead to assimilation into European cultural norms. This imposition frequently involved coercive tactics, including violence and the destruction of native spiritual practices, undermining Indigenous belief systems and traditions. The desire for land, resources, and labor also fueled these efforts, as colonial powers sought to establish dominance over Native populations.