Question #88b9c
1 Answer
Technically, a statement does not require a response.
Explanation:
To be picky, only a question requires an answer. But this is probably a history question, not a grammatical one.
The person/teacher possibly wants an explanation of which policies Spain espoused that caused it the loss of its colonies in South America and how those policies did that.
If this is from a homework assignment, the teacher might have said, "Explain how Spain, through its policies, gave up its right to rule in South America."
I'm not a history person, but I remember reading in a book by Octavio Paz that the Spanish monarchs forced the viceroys in New Spain (Mexico) to follow Spain's instructions exactly. The King's representatives in the New World were not allowed to make their own decisions according to what was actually needed by the people of New Spain. In other words, the viceroys were not allowed to actually help the people of New Spain.
So the "ordinary" people of the new world remained in terrible poverty and misery under the iron rule of Spain, with no or little opportunity to advance.
I also remember from the book that the family members of the King's representatives were kept as virtual prisoners until the viceroys returned to Spain. And then, upon their return, the former viceroys would be interrogated for long periods of time -- months -- to make sure they had followed the King's orders.
I believe the book I read this in is "Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz, o las Trampas de la Fe" (in Spanish), by Octavio Paz.
Be sure you double-check this information before you use in for a class.
