What was it that allowed the Spanish empire to become more successful than the Portugese?

by Cookielolz

From a quick list of what I understand to be similarities of these countries:

  • Both were Catholic
  • Both had inquisitions
  • Both had excellent navigators
  • Both were positioned in Iberia
  • Both were busy with the Reconquista and Moors in general
  • Both wanted to become rich(?)

So with all these relevant-looking similarities in place, why did the Spanish see so much more success in forging an empire?

shadybunches

Why do you think the Spanish Empire was more successful than the Portuguese Empire? Both were tremendously profitable and both left an incredible cultural legacy. Portugal lost much of its eastern empire centuries before Spain lost its empire, but it held unto Brasil which produced much gold and agricultural wealth.

One key difference: Spain conquered two advanced empires and replaced them with Spanish rule. Portugal didn't do anything close to this, but they did take over Indian ocean commerce and had many small strategic and productive colonies throughout the region.

Nevertheless, the colonization of Brasil should not be scoffed at. Sure there wasn't an advanced civilization there prior to the Portuguese, but they did turn it into a very productive colony for sugar, gold, and even brazilwood. Modern Brasil is also about a third of the population of Latin America.

Source: A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire, Vol. 2: From Beginnings to 1807: The Portuguese Empire (Volume 2) [A. R. Disney]