<P> While leveraging colonialism in the same geographic operating theater as its imperial rivals, Spain maintained distinct imperial objectives and instituted a unique form of colonialism in support of its imperial agenda . Spain placed significant strategic emphasis on the acquisition, extraction, and exportation of precious metals (primarily gold and silver). A second objective was the evangelization of subjugated indigenous populations residing in mineral - rich and strategically favorable locations . Notable examples of these indigenous groups include the Taίno populations inhabiting Puerto Rico and segments of Cuba . Compulsory labor and slavery were widely institutionalized across Spanish - occupied territories and colonies, with an initial emphasis on directing labor towards mining activity and related methods of procuring semi-precious metals . The emergence of the Encomienda system during the 16th - 17th centuries in occupied colonies within the Caribbean basin reflects a gradual shift in imperial prioritization, increasingly focusing on large - scale production and exportation of agricultural commodities . </P> <P> The scope and scale of Spanish participation in imperialism within the Caribbean basin remains a subject of scholarly debate among historians . A fundamental source of contention stems from the inadvertent conflation of theoretical conceptions of imperialism and colonialism . Furthermore, significant variation exists in the definition and interpretation of these terms as expounded by historians, anthropologists, philosophers, and political scientists . </P> <P> Among historians, there is substantial support in favor of approaching imperialism as a conceptual theory emerging during the 18th - 19th centuries, particularly within Britain, propagated by key exponents such as Joseph Chamberlain and Benjamin Disraeli . In accordance with this theoretical perspective, the activities of the Spanish in the Caribbean are not components of a preeminent, ideologically - driven form of imperialism . Rather, these activities are more accurately classified as representing a form of colonialism . </P> <P> Further divergence among historians can be attributed to varying theoretical perspectives regarding imperialism that are proposed by emerging academic schools of thought . Noteworthy examples include cultural imperialism, whereby proponents such as John Downing and Annabelle Sreberny - Modammadi define imperialism as "...the conquest and control of one country by a more powerful one ." Cultural imperialism signifies the dimensions of the process that go beyond economic exploitation or military force ." Moreover, colonialism is understood as "...the form of imperialism in which the government of the colony is run directly by foreigners ." </P>

What factors of imperialism are evident when a nation takes over another country