Final answer:
The British Empire and the Portuguese Empire differed in their approaches and goals in state building and expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent to which two maritime empires differed in state building and expansion can be evaluated by analyzing their approaches, motivations, and outcomes. For example, the British Empire and the Portuguese Empire had contrasting strategies and goals in building and expanding their empires.
The British Empire focused on mercantilism, establishing colonies and trading networks to exploit resources and maximize economic gains. This approach involved creating strong naval forces and using them to engage in economic warfare, such as piracy and privateering. The British Empire's expansion was driven by the desire to dominate global trade and secure raw materials for its industrialization.
In contrast, the Portuguese Empire pursued a strategy of exploration and discovery, aiming to establish direct trade routes to Asia. Their state building efforts involved establishing trading posts, forts, and colonies along these routes, with a focus on maritime navigation and cartography.