In the 1500s and 1600s, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires emerged as major colonial powers. The Spanish Empire expanded throughout the Americas after Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage, acquiring rich territories filled with gold and silver that boosted European economies and triggered further exploration. Concurrently, the Portuguese Empire developed an extensive trade network across Africa, Asia, and Brazil, fueled by navigation advancements and a quest for spices and gold, which enhanced its wealth and global influence in trade.
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During the 1500s and 1600s, two prominent colonial empires that ascended were the Spanish Empire and the Portuguese Empire. The Spanish Empire expanded significantly in the Americas following Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492, leading to the conquest of vast territories, rich in resources like gold and silver, which fueled European economies and spurred further exploration. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Empire established a vast trade network in Africa, Asia, and Brazil, driven by advancements in navigation and maritime technology, as well as a desire for spices, gold, and a route to Asia, leading to significant wealth and influence in global trade.
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