Final answer:
During the colonial era, Spain controlled the largest colonial territory, particularly in the Americas, due to its early and extensive colonization efforts. Britain rose as a dominant power after the Seven Years' War, acquiring territories from France and expanding its empire despite losing American colonies. Spain, however, commanded the most extensive colonial reach for much of this period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the colonial era, Spain was one of the foremost European powers in terms of the size of its colonial empire. With Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World in 1492, Spain quickly established a widespread colonial presence, particularly in the Americas. Their empire spanned across large parts of North and South America, including the Caribbean. Besides the Americas, Spain also held territories in Asia, such as the Philippines. The strong control that Spain exercised over its colonial territories allowed for substantial wealth to flow back to the mother country, solidifying its position as one of the most influential European empires of the time.
It wasn’t until the Seven Years’ War, which ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, that significant shifts occurred. Britain, whose victories in the war helped it to acquire various territories from France, began to rise as a dominant colonial power. It took control of significant portions of India, Canada, and territories in the Caribbean. Britain’s colonial aspirations were further solidified with the defeat of the French in the colonial wars, and despite the loss of its American colonies in the late 18th century, Britain continued to expand its colonial empire, especially in Africa and parts of Asia.