Question

Why were the Spanish not as large of a threat to Britain in America although they owned more land than the French?

Answer 1

Answer:

The main reason why Spain did not pose as great a threat to the colonies of Great Britain in America as that posed by France, despite having a much larger territory, was basically because of the place where the urban centers of each colony were located.

Thus, the New Spain colony had its capital in Mexico City, and it was in the territory of the present Mexico and on the west coast where the main cities of the colony were located.

Instead, the New France colony was located in what is now Quebec, Canada, much closer to the New England region, which in turn was the main British colonial location on the continent.

Therefore, the French expansionist interests clashed directly with the British, while the Spanish (not having such closeness) did not have as many territorial conflicts with the British.