Final answer:
Pirate activity led to disruptions in the flow of goods, which weakened Spain's trade monopoly with the Americas. Spain's strict trade regulations and targeted piracy strategies by other nations such as the Netherlands also contributed to this weakening. Therefore the correct answer is A. Pirates disrupted the flow of goods, making trade difficult.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason why fighting with pirates weakened the trade monopoly between Spain and America is that pirates disrupted the flow of goods. This interference made it more difficult for Spain to maintain a consistent and secure trade route, leading to financial losses and weakening the monopoly that Spain held over American trade. Nations like France and the Netherlands aimed to weaken the Spanish grip on the Americas, and the Dutch used piracy as a strategy to undermine Spanish economic strength. This targeted approach to destabilize Spanish powers through piracy highlighted the vulnerability of Spain's control over the maritime routes.
Additionally, trade was strictly controlled by the Spanish government with monopolies on key resources and limited ports for trade, which pirates could target. With the Spanish restrictions on trade and heavy regulations, it became increasingly challenging to manage commerce effectively in the face of constant pirate threats. As such, Spain's trade monopoly over the Americas suffered, as their ability to protect and regulate trade diminished significantly.