1. Economy

2. Native Tribute After the conquest of New Spain, the Spanish governors gave their men encomiendas

3. Silver and Gold Extensive gold and silver findings in Mexico and Peru made Spain the richest country in Europe

4. Ports Large Ports existed throughout new Spain which international trade. These ships would send the gold and silver mined from New Spain to Spain

5. Use of Money Ultimately Spain used its large gold and silver reserves to finance countless wars, especially to fight protestants during the Protestant Reformation