During the Spainsh Conquest the gold industry was replaced by the sugar plantations. The first sugar mill was built on Spain in 1516.
In 1520 officials in Spain requested permission for sugar to be traded directly within the Spanish empire without having to go through Seville.
Brazil held it's position as the world's leading sugar producer. It was cut and processed in large mills and the juices were then heated to crystallize into sugar. This combination of agriculture and industry demanded a large amount of labor for the backbreaking work. During the 17th century about 7,000 slaves a year were imported from Africa and by the end of the century there were about 150,000 slaves total. That was about half the population of Brazil. Brazil was considered the first great plantation colony and was used as a model for other European nations.
The society at this time as a whole reflected the hierarchy of the plantation.