Final answer:
The silver and gold imported from American colonies had a significant impact on Spain's economy, causing inflation and spreading to the rest of Europe. Commerce and trade in the Netherlands during this time focused on maritime trade, with the development of early commercial capitalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The silver and gold imported from American colonies by Spain during the 1500s had a significant impact on the country. It led to a surge in prices and inflation, known as the Price Revolution, as Spanish King Philip II used the New World silver to pay his armies and debts. This rise in prices spread to the rest of Europe, transmitting the economic effects of the silver imports beyond Spain's borders.
Comparatively, commerce and trade in the Netherlands during this time looked different. The Netherlands had a strong commercial and trading network, with a focus on maritime trade and shipping. They were involved in the lucrative trade of goods from Asia, and their economic system developed into early commercial capitalism, driven by the extraction of gold and silver from the Americas and the growth of joint-stock companies.