Question

spanish, portuguese, and british quick check
which statement identifies a way that an important component of the portuguese empire changed over time?
(1 point)
the portuguese gained territory in asia by the nineteenth century
the portuguese government attempted to put less of a focus on the social caste system.
the slave trade eventually stopped, as it was no longer profitable for portugal.
the portuguese were no longer the strongest military power by the nineteenth century.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: By the 19th century, Portugal was losing rather than gaining territory in Asia due to competition from other powers, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze Option 2: The Portuguese social caste system (like in Brazil) was deeply ingrained, and there's no major shift of the government putting less focus on it over time in a notable way related to the empire's key components, so this is incorrect.
3. Analyze Option 3: The slave trade was a crucial part of the Portuguese Empire. Over time, with changing global attitudes, abolitionist movements, and eventually it becoming less profitable (and also due to international pressure), the slave trade was abolished. This shows a change in a key component (slave trade) of the empire.
4. Analyze Option 4: While Portugal's military power declined, the question is about an "important component" of the empire. The military power status is more about their standing relative to others, while the slave trade was a core economic and social component of their empire. So the change in the slave trade is a more direct change to an important component of the empire.

Answer:

C. The slave trade eventually stopped, as it was no longer profitable for Portugal.