South American colonies refer to the territories in South America that were colonized by European powers during the Age of Discovery, primarily Spain and Portugal. These colonies were established for economic exploitation and political control by the European colonizers.
Colonialism: The practice of establishing settlements or controlling territories in distant lands for economic exploitation and political dominance.
Age of Discovery: A period between the 15th and 17th centuries when European explorers set sail to discover new trade routes, territories, and resources.
Economic exploitation: The act of using resources from a territory or population for financial gain without providing fair compensation or benefits.