The similarities and differences between the Spanish and the Portuguese Empires: The Portuguese were mainly interested in trade only and had little desire initially to settle anywhere, except for trading purposes. The Spanish wanted to incorporate the inhabitants of the new lands under the Spanish crown and convert them to Catholicism.

Latin America
Africa
Colonized by Europeans

Converted natives (Forced mass conversion)
Jesuits arrived in 1500’s

Tried to recreate Iberian cities haciendas, etc -> universities, cathedrals, libraries

Since it was colonized, Portugal and Spain has a military presence

Heavy mercantilistic activity though Spain and Portugal sold their nations luxury goods (faulty mercantilism)

Whites were at the top of the social pyramid
Castas
Highly centralized states ruled by powerful kings -> independent of Europeans

Portuguese brought missionaries -> converted some rulers (Kongo)

Focus was on the creation of factories for trade, not bringing European culture

Europeans had militaries, presence at the forts, but African kingdoms built up their missionaries because of gun-slave cycle

Mercantilism was part of triangular trade – Africans also profited from slave trade

Africans have power over their own kingdoms and Africans cooperated with European on coast
African kingdoms had a social hierarchy for their own people.

RELIGION
Africa- rulers were converted
Latin America : forced massed conversion and some voluntary
Some missionares defended indian rights and even admirers of aspects of indian culture.
Ex) Franciscan priest Fray Bernardino de Sahagun
SOCIAL
Social hierarchy differed between latin America and Africa
Africa –
Social hierarchy was retained even after European