America, the New World - England, France, Spain and the Netherlands
The crusading spirit of the Renaissance in which Europeans were looking for new enterprises, new trade routes and the possibility of spreading Christianity among indigenous peoples. The countries of Europe were also looking to build Empires. Competition to acquire new lands in America, the New World was strongly fought by the following powerful European countries:
This article provides facts and information about their approaches to acquiring the new wealth in America the New World.
America, the New World - Spain
The motivation for conquest and the approach of Spain to exploiting the riches of America, the New World were:
- To convert the indigenous population, the Native American Indians, to Christianity and the Roman Catholic religion
- Spain granted Spanish settlers encomiendas, the right to demand taxes or labor (tribute) from the land. Spanish soldiers and priests imposed a harsh forced-labor system called Encomienda, which resembled slavery - the Spanish exploited the Native American Indians
- Lands and villages were granted to the Spanish aristocracy who set up missions and contributed to the wealth of the Spanish Empire
- The Spanish wanted to maintain control over its colonies from Spain
The result of the Spanish approach to conquering America, the New World was major conflicts with the Indians including the Pueblo Revolt
America, the New World - France
The motivation for conquest and the approach of France to exploiting the riches of America, the New World were:
- France was interested in acquiring wealth through trade - especially the lucrative fur trade see Colonial Times
- The Native American Indians were valued by the French as trading partners. They formed alliances with the Indians
- France made little effort to settle the lands of America - their focus was in Canada, which they called New France
- Religion - The French, like Spain, wanted to convert the Native American Indians, to Christianity and the Roman Catholic religion
The result of the French approach to conquering America, the New World was major conflicts with the Indians including the French Indian War
America, the New World - Netherlands (Holland)
The motivation for conquest and the approach of the Netherlands to exploiting the riches of America, the New World were:
- The Netherlands, like the French, were interested in acquiring wealth through trade - especially the lucrative fur trade
- The Native American Indians were valued by the French as trading partners. They formed alliances with the Indians
- The Dutch encouraged the colonization of the New World. New Netherland was established as the colonial province of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands on the East Coast of North America
America, the New World - England, Great Britain
The motivation for conquest and the approach of England to exploiting the riches of America, the New World were:
- The British encouraged the colonization of the New World
- The English were not really interested in making alliances with the Native American Indians
- The British monarchy wanted to assert its authority in the thirteen colonies
- Great Britain appoints royal governors who oversee colonial affairs
- Parliament in Great Britain passes laws to regulate trade in North America
The ultimate lack of British imperial authority allowed its American colonists to construct the foundations of an independent country which led to the American Revolution (1775- 1783) and the Declaration of Independence.
