British empire compared to Spanish empire.?

Question

Why did the British Empire produce great countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, whereas the Spanish empire produced third world messes such as Mexico, Colombia and Argentina??

Answer 1

An interesting question and not one that cannot be fully answered in this forum. One contributory factor was the dominions you refer to were colonised by the British at a later date and from the outset the rule of law was established as an extension of the British system without the brutal military and religious supression used by the Spanish in their earlier colonisation of south and central America. You really need to go back to the history books - you could, for example, compare the early history of Canada with that of Mexico. In fairness to Argentina. it was a hundred years or so ago regarded as a country of opportunity with a great future and attracted many European migrants.

Answer 2

Your conclusion is not quite accurate, since there are examples of former British Colonies that are considered 3rd world countries, such as India, Pakistan and the like.

However, if you look at the various examples you provided and then compare them with the Spanish and the counter examples which I provided, I think you will find your answers. In Australia, Canada, New Zealand... and you can include the USA, the colonialist "displaced" the native populations instead of trying to "control" them. In those countries, the immigrants from England became the dominant population and retained the cultural values of Great Britain. They became "westernized" not because the native populations adopted British culture, but because the British replaced the native populations, or overwhelmed the native population, with their own.

Answer 3

The difference is in the home countries themselves. They are two very different cultures. A Britain has had a sense of personal liberty and industry for a very long time. Spain, for much of its history, was dominated by autocrats and the Church. These institutions were inherently adverse to the development of a middle class and the industry and liberties that go with its rise. Therefore Spain, and its colonies remained a stratified and backwards looking people for a long time. The Republicans of the Spanish Civil War tried to rectify that, but the fascist military supported by the Church (never on the right side) put an end to that and left Spain in the clutches of the military for 40 more years.

The Colonies were populated with ne'er do well Nobles with no prospects in their own country. They lorded over their estates on their non-European servants and slaves as though they were animals. When communism became a viable (at least in their minds) alternative to these aristocrats, the US, in its war to prevent communism's spread, assisted the petty generals and landowners in maintaining their strangle hold on government and economy. Many Latin Americans resent the USA to this very day for this.

Answer 4

The British seemed to be a bit more open to trade and working with the natives, than the Spanish, who came as religious converters and conquerers.
The British aim from the outset was economically based, and backed by a powerful navy.
The Spaniards were looking for gold and rare metals, as well as the "Fountain of Youth", and didn't let anyone stand in way our their conquests.

Answer 5

British Empire Style:

Set up a permenant colony with immigrants from England. Let it grow, live in relative harmony with natives (eventually take their land, but thats much later), and eventually become a self-sufficient province.

Spanish Empire Style:

Burn, loot, steal and murder. Make colonies simply for the gold; once the gold is gone, move the colony. Kill every native you find.

Answer 6

Pretty much as Joe has stated.
The Spanish looted the places they conquered and massacred the native inhabitants.
The British re-invested in their colonies creating trade, internal governments and infrastructure and were generally (with a few exceptions) benevolent to the locals.

Answer 7

British Empire was more advanced than Spain and took better care of their colonies. Great Britain is a world leader in several areas. They led the Industrial Revolution.