How did illegal smuggling affect the Portuguese empire?(1 point) Responses It caused a war between Spain and Portugal. It caused a war between Spain and Portugal. It caused economic hardship in the empire. It caused economic hardship in the empire. It led Portugal to expand its colonies.

Answer 1

The impact of illegal smuggling on the Portuguese empire primarily caused economic hardship in the empire. Smuggling undermined legitimate trade and revenue, destabilized markets, and contributed to corruption, which ultimately weakened the empire's economic foundation.