Final answer:
The efforts of the Spanish Empire, through conquests and the silver trade, led to both the accumulation of wealth and significant suffering among indigenous peoples. The moral and long-term economic implications are complex, with Spain eventually experiencing fiscal decline despite the initial wealth gained from the colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question, 'Were the efforts of the Spanish Empire worth it?' can be challenging as it encompasses a broad range of historical outcomes and moral considerations. Evaluating the conquest of the Aztec and Inca civilizations and the silver trade, we must acknowledge the complex legacy of Spanish colonialism.
Spanish conquistadors like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro led the conquests, which resulted in vast amounts of gold and silver flowing into Spain's economy. These metals helped Spain become one of the wealthiest European nations. However, the methods used by the Spanish, including the encomienda system, caused significant suffering and exploitation of the indigenous populations, leading to the collapse of complex civilizations and immense loss of life and culture.
The influx of silver, while initially providing wealth, eventually contributed to economic inflation and decline, and Spain faced fiscal challenges. The morality of the conquests and their long-term impacts remain debated; the immense cultural exchange and the social and economic systems that developed in the colonies are still felt today. Consequently, the assessment of whether the efforts of the Spanish Empire were worth it is subjective and depends on the values and perspectives of those weighing the historical evidence.