EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CONQUEST AND COLONISATION – The Portuguese and Spanish Explorations 20
Impact on Spain Every year from the middle of the 16th
century to the end of the 18th century, a
Spanish silver fleet or treasure fleet sailed as a convoy with silver for Spain. This made Spain the richest country in Europe by the end of the 18th with a huge empire.
century 10
As a result of the conquest of the Americas, Spain controlled a huge new empire which was available for settlement, investment and exploitation. It made Spain wealthier and more powerful, and it increased the pride and confidence in the kingdom. The flow of silver into Spain also caused inflation (rising prices), which spread to other European countries. Spanish landowners benefitted as the value of their land increased but the standard of living of other Spaniards got worse.
Impact on Portugal Portugal also prospered from its empire. Many fine buildings were erected in the country. However, much of the power and wealth in Portugal was in the hands of a small ruling class. Thousands of Portuguese were attracted to settle in Brazil, and Portuguese emigration to Brazil continued until a few decades ago.
15
06
5
0 1500
1600 1700 1790 Year
Treasure shipped from Havana (Cuba) to Spain
LSource 7 Export of Raw Sugar from Brazil 1580–1820
10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 80000
0 1550 1600 1650
1700 Year
New foods brought to Europe from America in the Age of
Exploration. These varied the diet of Europeans.
1750 1800
❰●p. 62 Evaluating the
Impact of Conquest and Colonisation
1850 Portuguese imports from Brazil
❱ Preparing for CBA2 A project on the life and experience of a person of historical interest PERSONS OF INTEREST IN THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
