Which answer best describes why the Spanish wanted to found
El Paso? (1 point)
They wanted to trap their
• enemies in the pass.
They wanted to build ranches there.
They wanted to be able to
• control travel through the pass.
O They wanted to make it the Spanish capital.
They wanted to be able to control travel through the pass.
The answer that best describes why the Spanish wanted to found El Paso is: They wanted to be able to control travel through the pass.
To determine the best answer, we need to evaluate each option and see which one aligns the most with the historical context and the motivations of the Spanish at the time.
1. "They wanted to trap their enemies in the pass" seems unlikely because it implies a defensive strategy rather than a strategic motivation for founding El Paso.
2. "They wanted to build ranches there" may be a valid reason, as the Spanish were known for their colonization efforts and establishing agricultural systems. However, it is not the most common or significant reason associated with the founding of El Paso.
3. "They wanted to be able to control travel through the pass" seems more plausible. El Paso, located along the Rio Grande river and the northern parts of present-day Mexico and the southwestern United States, offered a strategic position for the Spanish to control and monitor travel and trade routes in the region. It allowed them to exert authority and maintain a presence in the area.
4. "They wanted to make it the Spanish capital" is unlikely because El Paso was never considered the capital of any Spanish territories or regions. The Spanish had already established other central cities as their political and administrative centers.
Considering the historical context and common motivations for the Spanish colonization efforts, the most accurate answer is "They wanted to be able to control travel through the pass."