Dreaming of world dominance and boundless riches drove the Portuguese and the Spanish, having completed the Reconquista (Catholicism chasing Moors and Jews from Iberia), to naval exploration and 'missionary' Conquista, South and East viz. ...See moreDreaming of world dominance and boundless riches drove the Portuguese and the Spanish, having completed the Reconquista (Catholicism chasing Moors and Jews from Iberia), to naval exploration and 'missionary' Conquista, South and East viz. West - Columbus discovering America, while maintaining it was the East, not the thus misnamed West Indies. They soon divide the world in two spheres by the Tordelissas treaty. Spain's Cortez and Pizarro find immense riches by ravaging the Aztec viz. Inca empires. Portugal trades with the East but finds the greatest treasure in Brazilian gold and intercontinental slave trade. However neglecting inflationary stress, trade control, home industries and state finances ultimately leave both countries ruined rather then enriched. Written by
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