What was the main economic product that the Spanish sought from the Americas?

The primary economic product that the Spanish sought from the Americas was gold. During the Age of Exploration, Spain was motivated by the quest for wealth and the expansion of its empire, leading to exploration and colonization efforts in the New World. The allure of gold was particularly potent due to the tremendous wealth it promised; reports of vast riches in the Americas drove explorers like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro to conquer large territories, where they sought precious metals.

The Spanish established a system of extracting resources that focused heavily on mining gold and silver in places like Mexico and Peru. This quest for precious metals was fundamental in shaping Spanish colonial policies and power dynamics during the 16th century, influencing trade, society, and global economics. Gold facilitated Spain's emergence as a dominant European power in the era, funding military campaigns and maintaining political influence across Europe.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary motivations of the Spanish in the Americas. While silk, spices, and textiles were indeed valuable trade commodities sought by other nations and had their own historical importance, they were not the driving forces behind Spanish colonization efforts. The Spanish focus on gold exemplifies their desire for immediate and immense wealth as the central goal of their expeditions.