Spanish settlements in North America had one purpose only: to protect their shipments of gold and silver from competing European powers. The first successful settlement in North America, St. Augustine, Florida was built to protect Spanish fleets from attack by privateers. The statement above that the Spanish had "big cities. large farms" is patently incorrect.
It should be noted that the first successful rebellion in America; Pope's rebellion, also known as the Pueblo revolt, was the result of numerous failed promises on the part of the Spanish. Four hundred Spaniards were killed in the revolt and the Spanish lost control of New Mexico.