The industry that most fundamentally shaped the sixteenth-century Spanish colonies in Central and South America was:
A) sugar production.
B) cattle ranching.
C) grain production.
D) jewelry production.
E) mining.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mining had the greatest impact on the Spanish colonies in Central and South America during the sixteenth century. The discovery of vast quantities of gold and silver in the New World allowed Spain to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the time, and led to the development of an extensive mining industry. The Spanish exploited indigenous peoples for labor in their mines, and brought African slaves to supplement the workforce. The wealth gained from mining also financed Spain's military and colonial expansion.

The Industry That Most Fundamentally Shaped the Sixteenth-Century Spanish Colonies