1. Evaluate the complex interaction of cultures that resulted with the arrival of European explorers and colonies. Was this interaction more harmful or beneficial to both Europeans and Native Americans? The cultural interactions between the Europeans and the Native Americans were ultimately destructive for the natives, but overall beneficial for the Europeans. It is clearly stated in many history books that the European diseases brought over to the Americas decimated much of the native population. This dramatic loss of population affected the natives willingness to resist European assimilation, and thus contributed to the loss of many native cultures but a blending of European and native cultures. Furthermore, the natives were often …show more content…
Both wanted to enrich the mother country through a beneficial relationship of importing raw materials and exporting manufactured goods. However, the English frequently used chartered companies to form settlements in America, while the Spanish sent over ambitious men who became conquistadors. Therefore, the English settlements were less bound to the crown, so they developed their own governments and self-rule. In contrast, the Spanish colonies were ruled by viceroys, often appointed by the king of Spain, and had little experience with self-rule. This difference is notably present after the colonies break away from their mother countries. To illustrate, the U.S. had a steady democratic system after the American Revolution, but the former Spanish colonies experienced multiple dictatorships and failed constitutions after breaking away from Spain. These two countries also differed in religious incentives. The Spanish were more focused on converting the natives, but the English mostly wanted to practice their sect of Christianity in peace. This became evident in the colonies: Spanish colonies were often strings of missions that incorporated the natives, and the English colonies were often religious communities that had a trade relationship with the natives, which sometimes resulted in hostile