...History 105 Mon-Wed: Midterm March 20, 2013 1. Describe the motivation by Europeans for discovery, exploration and colonization of the Americas. Describe the differences among the countries in their colonization efforts and its affects on the continents? I would like to think that one the first major motivations for Europeans to set for discovery, exploration, and colonization of the Americas was the fact that many people had died and was dying from the plague and fighting internal wars. One would think that out of death, desperation, and rampage; an extreme need to set out to find a better way of life was channeled. However, an increasing demand for the spices, gold, tobacco, expand territory, and silk which the Americas offered, was the first major motivation for European exploration. Obtaining spice was important so that they could season and cover up the flavor of the spoiled and rotten meat that they had to eat. Finding gold was important for wealth and silk was beneficial since it was a lighter material so that their skin was able to breath and for other reasons of vanity. Trade was very important since Europe didn’t have a lot of resources. The European’s natural curiosities about the world beyond Europe also lead to the expansion of trade routes. In order to fund these expeditions the Europeans had to receive funding from the monarchs. The monarchs were more than willing and able to provide the sponsorship and funding for the expeditions because...
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...Throughout the American history, there have been diverse peoples who had once taken root or still existing in this country. Among those people, Spanish and English colonization had played important roles in shaping today’s America. In fact, beginning in the 1400s, European countries had been searching for sea routes to reach Asia. In 1492, Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator, sailed west and believed that he had found China, which was actually Cuba. Although Columbus did not find the passage to Asia successfully, his discovery of America marked as a start of Spanish exploration in America and changed the history of the United States. England, another European country which later colonized America, showed little interest in the exploration...
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...European Colonization of the Americas European Colonization of the Americas As students, many individuals are taught of the history and details regarding the discovery and colonization of the American continent. References to European explorers are often provided, stressing that the discoveries and connection between the American continent and the rest of the world were as a direct result of European expansion and ingenuity. Based on investigations completed that detail the previous inhabitation and identification of the American continent by people outside of the East, this is found to be inaccurate. In the following paragraphs, details concerning the colonization of the American continent will be provided. Details regarding the cultures of the continent’s inhabitants prior to the arrival of the European explorers will be included, providing the reader with a baseline by which to compare the continent’s change after the colonization. Additionally, details regarding the motivation of European countries are presented. Information regarding the Spanish and English motivations are provided as well, providing a detailed insight into the specific governments driving the expansion and exploration. North American Cultures Prior to the arrival of the European colonists on the American continents, people had already inhabited the continent for more...
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...During the Ice Age, sea levels dropped creating a bridge from North America to Eurasia. 35,000 years ago This gave immigrants a chance to migrate over to the “New World”. Humans began to travel to America from Asia 33,000 - 8,000 B.C. This leads to the creation of the earliest civilizations in the Americas. Columbus’s Discovery 1492 He founded a “New World” that led to the colonization of people from Europe in America. The Treaty of Tordesillas 1494 This treaty between Spain and Portugal divided the Western Hemisphere between both groups settling conflicts. Hernan Cortes conquered Mexico 1609 He vanquished the Aztec tribe and claimed Mexico for Spain. Marco Polo His journey to China lasted about 22 years and he came back to write...
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...Schultz Colonization and the First Globalization In order for one to gain a better knowledge of how terrestrial and ocean colonization unfolded in the Americas, Siberia, Africa, and China, a person must first understand the definition of colonization. Simply put, colonization is an ongoing process of control by which a central system of power dominates the surrounding land and its components. This means that a foreign government moves into the land and seizes control; gaining power, natural resources, and a larger economy. In the year 1492, an Italian explorer by the name of Christopher Columbus set out on an expedition departing from Spain in search of a faster ocean route to reach Asia. Him and his crew set foot on an island in the Bahamas 36 days after deporting from Spain. While in the Bahamas, Columbus and his men visited a total of three islands and built a settlement on Hispaniola Island with salvaged wreckage from one of their ships. Convinced he had reached Asia, he then set sail back to Spain with the two remaining ships. Columbus failed to find what he set out for – a new route to Asia along with the riches it promised, and he passed away short of success in 1506. However, Columbus was still successful in other terms. He is credited with the discovery of the New World and opening the Americas for European colonization. Following Columbus’s discovery, European nations that were on the Atlantic Rim exploited the riches and resources of the Americas. Due to their...
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...Midterm Essay Christopher Riojas Keiser University Introduction Adventure and discovery of land and territories in the early centuries were the order of the day for the majority of the stable nations, armies and organized ethnic groups who searched for food, water, and places of settlement. The adventuring movements of communities across the world brought about acquisition of property, resources and territories that later converted to the states and the countries under currently existing geographical boundaries. This effect culminated in more aggression in the movement and acquisition of territories that later turned out to be colonized. During the pre-colonial era, communities under the leadership of ethnic chiefs controlled tribes and extracted resources that were only within their territories. More land was unoccupied thus attracting other foreign immigrants who, moved in search of better resources and experiences. It is in the spirit of discovery and colonization, this article puts into perspective the development of a new state of Virginia in America. Precisely at Jamestown, as it is told through a film called “The New World”, directed by Terrence Mallick, and a story book called “The General History of Virginia, New England, and The Summer Isles”, by Smith (pg.57-69). This article analyses the two sources, the film and the book as their stories are related by both explaining the discovery and development of Jamestown and Virginia. This region has been captured in these...
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...Spanish and European colonization in the Americas is a big part of our history, and it started with a certain explorer. Francisco Pizarro was an explorer, soldier, and conquistador who explored South America, conquered the Inca Empire, and brought culture and language to the Americas. Francisco Pizarro most notable explorations are those from South America, mostly Peru. His first voyage was in 1513, when he was a soldier. He joined Vasco Núñez de Balboa in his expedition, where he discovered the Pacific Ocean. Later in his life, Francisco wanted to make his own discoveries. So, joined by Diego Almagro, they voyaged to Peru. They then travelled back to Spain to get permission to claim the land of Peru for Spain. Their 1531 expedition, to the Inca Empire, was to find gold, which Pizarro took, much to the Incans dismay....
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...Alfred Crosby, a historian, once said that Columbus and other Europeans re-knit the torn seams of Pangaea. In the year 1492, the world ecological system came together as European vessels carried goods and people across the ocean, occupying new land (Morgan, 2009). Therefore, Crosby’s phrase refers to the reconnection of the continents after the continental drift through European explorations overseas. These voyages saw the introduction of different things in various regions such as corn in the U.S, brought by the Portuguese. Alfred Crosby referred to it as the Columbine Exchange, and ecologists consider it as an important phenomenon (Morgan, 2009). These explorations and journeys had both advantages and disadvantages to each continent. Some...
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...Why European Rulers Promoted Exploration and Colonization in North America Name: University: Course: Tutor: Date: Abstract: This paper is based on various reasons and factors that led to the exploration of North America by European powers and their eventual establishment of colonial rule in the region. These include trade, religion, civilization, spirit of adventure, the political rivalry between various European powers and many other factors. Spain was the first European nation to explore the North America following the discoveries made by Christopher Columbas. It was later on followed by Britain, France and Dutch. Introduction The exploration and subsequent colonization of North America was prompted by economic, social and political interests held by various European powers. These engulfed various European nations. This saw Spain, Britain, France and Dutch setting out their way in order to explore North America. The European powers eventually colonized the American natives in countries such as Canada, Columbia and the United States. The Exploration and Colonization in North America by European Rulers There are several reasons as to why European rulers promoted exploration and colonization in North America. First and foremost, there was increased need to find a sea trade route from Europe to Asia. European traders longed for spices, silk and sugar from Asian countries such as china and India. Earlier trade routes...
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...European colonization of the New World affected the lives of the Native Americans drastically, in many ways. First, the colonization of Europeans caused many Native Americans to die. In addition, another result of the Europeans colonizing the Americas was that the Native Americans were introduced to new foods and animals, resulting in cultural diffusion. Lastly, in the result of European explorers coming to the New World resulted in the Native Americans to be treated badly, such as being sold into slavery. Overall, the result of Europeans settling in the New World influenced the Native Americans ways of living. First of all, the most direct way that European colonization affected the Native Americans, was the infectious diseases that they brought...
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...settlers of the Americas took place in North America in Alaska. Asian hunters are thought to have traveled over the Bering Strait during a glacial period somewhere between 35,000 B.C.E. and 10,000 years later. The Asian people, referred to as Native Americans, did not realize their discovery of a new world. The early North American men and women were nomadic hunters and gatherers. As the further migration continued south an agricultural lifestyle formed. The European colonization of the Americas is thought to have been established by explorers and fishermen at a much later date. The blend of diversity was apparent as the migration of the Americas grew and strong developed societies were established. Although Native American descendants merely followed their survival instincts, they had discovered an abundant new world. The nomadic hunters tracked animals across the frozen land bridge and crossed into a new continent. The migration continued south along the west coast. “Over a span of 25,000 years settlement spread down the Alaskan coast, then deeper into the North American mainland, and finally throughout Central and South America.” (Davidson, 2006, p. 11). The original survival lifestyle of the nomadic hunters blended into new discovered agricultural resources with the progressive southern migration. The discovery of producing a food supply through cultivating crops created an agricultural revolution. The migration throughout the Americas had proved to be...
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...Concerning early American history, Johnson strongly believes that colonization brought by Christopher Columbus was beneficial and vital for the economic, social, and political development of America. Howard Zinn, a left-wing activist, was born in New York City. Zinn believes that Columbus is not the hero that most people think. Zinn believes that the mass slaughter of Indians and colonization that Columbus brought greatly harmed America and the local Indians. My opinion is similar to Paul Johnson’s because I believe that Columbus’s voyage and discovery of America brought various positive impacts and helped shape the America today. Paul Johnson is convinced that Columbus’s voyage to America is the greatest of allhuman adventures. As a right-wing activist, Johnson supports the leaders of thegovernment and affluent...
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...The New World known today as America is a product of the meeting of two worlds, two different social, political and economic environments. America remained hidden for thousands of years and unknown to European explorers. Its discovery consisted of a clash of cultures, languages, traditions and history. Although they bear a similarity as they were both initially sponsored by monarchs in search of the Northwest Passage, the differences between the Spanish (1492 – 1548) and English (1584-1648) explorations are very clear. During the XV century the first marine expeditions that allowed having a better understanding of the world, were made. The major European explorers that were part of the Spanish and English explorations were Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Nunez Balboa, Ferdinand Magellan, Juan Ponce De Leon, Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando De Soto, Francisco Coronado, and Sir Francis Drake. An important similarity on the explorations was that they were in search of the Northwest Passage , a route that the Far East could be achieved (India) from Europe traveling to the west. Other similarities included are the first voyages were made by Italian explorers and sponsored by monarchs. Christopher Columbus and John Cabot were from Italy. Columbus’ voyages were approved by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile of Spain. John Cabot received approval by Henry VII of England. These are the similarities, but now we will see how clear the differences were. ...
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...The colonization of the New World was merely a business venture to obtain wealth, improved social status, and natural resources that they would otherwise have to obtain from neighboring countries. One of the advocates of colonizing the New World, Richard Hakluyt, told stories of America containing resources beyond belief. They were in competition with the other Europe countries and he made a convincing argument that England needed to be the leader of this expedition in order to receive great profit. This notion became very appealing and England began to figure out ways to execute this expedition. Money was the greatest obstacle for the colonization of America. It did not matter how much wealth one person had, it was not enough to fund...
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...Colonization in the New World Justin P. Wilson Excelsior College Abstract With growing populations, limitations on land, and religious persecution, the desire and need for expansion to new lands was critical. Reasons for this are many, but the economic benefits and religious freedoms provided by this migration are extremely important to understand. Columbian Exchange Over time and through exploration, the New World was discovered. As migration took place, many benefits were discovered by the colonists and western expansion took place. Though there were many reasons for this movement, the economics of these new lands along with religious freedoms were two of the main reasons for migration. War and limitations on land use caused a dire need for expansion. Persecution for religious beliefs made it desirable to seek new homes to freely practice versus the active suppression. After a very costly war and a shift in demands, the English had a burning desire to obtain land. “Because of the worldwide demand for wool was growing rapidly, landowners were converting their land from fields for crops to pastures for sheep” (Brinkley, 2010). With land plots decreasing for crops and the effects of a war-torn Europe upon them, migration to new lands became more and more enticing. As migration took place, new land was obtained. With the new land came an expansion in economic incentives, from new trade to new crops. “Second, the discovery of the Americas provided the Old...
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