Native American Civ.

There is much significance in this statement, “Glorying in their new strength, the Spaniards were eager to outstrip the Portuguese rivals in the race to tap the wealth in the Indies.” First of all, at the time Portugal controlled much of the African coast and thus controlled the gateway to the round-Africa water route to India. They had established trading posts, in which they sold both gold and slaves, alongside much of the African coastline. …

…time Spain reached the Indies, Portugal already had control of the Indies, to the south and east. Therefore Spain was forced to go west. When the Spaniards went westward, they discovered the New World, or America. This discovery consequently led to increased European expansion in the west. Therefore, the key significance of Spain’s sudden surge of strength is the discovery of the New World and well as increased European expansions of countries out west.