From the 15th to the 17th centuries, the Spanish and Portuguese empires were known for their global colonizing power. From trading posts in Asia to established colonies in the Americas, Spain and Portugal were among the first to realize the power of colonization and global trade. However, each took a different approach to colonial rule. Although both lived in Latin America, there were significant differences in their social organization, political structures, and economic goals in the region. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First, it is important to note that Spain and Portugal entered Latin America with different goals. Spain was the first to discover the Americas through King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who believed there was a way to reach India by sailing west. Although they initially held no grudge against the natives, an early Mayan attack on a Spanish settlement in Yucatan convinced the Spanish to follow a procedure of total conquest. Following the precedent set by the Reconquista, Hernan Cortes led a rapid conquest of central Mexico through warfare. Meanwhile, the Portuguese were concerned with establishing trading posts, originally for Brazilian wood, in what is now Brazil. Although their first expedition along the coast of South America began in 1501, permanent settlements were not founded until 1532. Gradually, these settlements formed a general government through Capitanias and began to expand their agricultural and commercial footprint. Geography also played a key role in the colonization strategies of both empires; Spain intended to expand inward and overthrow existing empires, while Portugal had no intention of expanding inward. Because the few natives in Brazil fled inland, the Portuguese were able to expand without bloody wars. Meanwhile, the Spanish felt pressure to settle and militarize to ward off the impending French colonies. Clearly, the Spanish goal of forced conversion and rapid settlement was markedly different from the Portuguese model of slow, gradual trade and colonization. These geographic differences also affected the economies of New Spain and New Brazil. Although both were ultimately based in agriculture, each began differently. New Spain focused on silver production to finance Philip II's extensive religious wars in Europe. As silver reserves ran out and native populations began to decline, the colonies switched to focusing on sugar production with the use of slave labor. Brazil, similarly, formed an agricultural economy based on slave labor. Although initially a settlement of trading posts for Brazilian wood, as the Portuguese began to expand inland and increase the importation of slaves, their economy began to depend on sugar (of which they produced 70% of total sugar world), from cotton, tobacco and tobacco. gold mining. Although similar, Spain's dependence on the New World for economic support was much deeper than Portugal's dependence on Brazil. These colonizations and economic differences led to their different political structures. As mentioned above, the Brazilians followed the model of the Capitanias. In this system, local leaders called Capitanias paid taxes to the governor general, who reported to the king. Because in some Captaincies yes.