State your opinion: Spain became prosperous after establishing colonies in America.

Answer: I agree with the statement.

• After Columbus reached America in 1492, Spain established colonies in Central and South America.
• Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec empire of Mexico and Francisco Pizarro the Inca empire of Peru; their huge treasures of gold and silver were carried to Spain.
• Rich silver mines, such as those of Potosi, and plantations worked by local and African slave labour gave Spain enormous wealth.
• Spain controlled the trade of these colonies, so in the 16th century it became the richest and most powerful nation in Europe.