How did the Spanish and Portuguese colonial systems differ in terms of governance and economic practices?

Spanish and Portuguese colonial systems had significant differences in governance and economic practices during the era of global empires and colonization. The Spanish empire primarily focused on establishing a centralized and bureaucratic form of governance in their colonies in the Americas. They implemented the encomienda system, which granted Spanish colonizers the right to extract labor and resources from indigenous populations. This system was often exploitative and led to harsh treatment of the indigenous people.

On the other hand, the Portuguese empire adopted a more decentralized approach to governance in their colonies, such as Brazil. They established the system of capitanias hereditárias, granting land and governing powers to appointed captains. This system allowed for more autonomy and local control within Portuguese colonies.

Governance Differences

While the Spanish imposed strict control over their colonies through centralized rule and the encomienda system, the Portuguese decentralized their governance and allowed for more local autonomy through the capitanias system. This difference in governance had long-lasting effects on the social and political structures of their respective colonies.

Economic Practices

In terms of economic practices, the Spanish empire heavily relied on mining and agriculture for economic exploitation in their colonies. They extracted precious metals like gold and silver, as well as agricultural products like sugar and cocoa. The Portuguese, on the other hand, focused more on trade and the establishment of trading posts along the coasts of Africa, Asia, and Brazil.

In conclusion, the Spanish and Portuguese colonial systems differed in terms of governance and economic practices, with the Spanish implementing centralized control and exploitative labor systems, while the Portuguese favored decentralized governance and focused on trade. These differences shaped the development and legacy of their respective colonies in Latin America, Brazil, Africa, and Asia.