America, the New World

America the New World - Voyage of Christopher Columbus

America the New World - Voyage of Christopher Columbus

This article on  America the New World provides facts and information about:

  • Motivation and approach of European Countries to gaining land in America the New World
  • Map of Europe land claims in America the New World
  • European conquest in America the New World. England, France, Netherlands and Spain
  • An overview of the America, the New World from the European perspective
Colonization of America
Explorers & Discovery of America
American Colonies Index

History of the Discovery of America, the New World

The discovery of America and the land claims of European countries

America, the New World
The discovery of America, the New World was made by Christopher Columbus 1451-1506 in 1492. America was named after Amerigo Vespucci in 1507. America, the New World opened up new trade routes, power, riches and wealth to the countries of Europe.

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 .

America, the New World 1754 Land Claims
The 1754 Map of North America shows the lands claimed by the different countries of Europe.

British claims in North America
French claims in North America
Spanish claims in North America
Russian claims in North America
Disputed Lands claims in America    
 


Map of Colonial America in 1754

1754 Map of Colonial America

America, the New World - Slavery
The European colonies established in America began running out of the labor which they needed to exploit the wealth of new territories.  Highly lucrative crops such as sugar, tobacco and cotton saw the expansion of the system of Slave plantations . Economic growth was dependent on the plantations becoming increasingly profitable. The labor supply in the colonies was first addressed by England with the employment of Indentured servants but this quickly moved on to looking towards the financial benefits of the transatlantic slave trade. Slavery was introduced into the conies, especially the Southern colonies that housed the plantations.

America, the New World - Military Conflicts
Political rivalries and military conflicts in Europe spilled across the Atlantic and into Colonial America. European laws were introduced to America and the profits made from the natural resources of America and trading opportunities contributed to wealth of England, France and Spain. The massive influx of European colonists led to increased tension and hostilities with the Native American Indians. The Indian Wars were fuelled by the colonists and settlers looking for a better life in America the New World which sparked bloody wars and conflicts with Indian tribes for control of North American lands.

America, the New World - European Political Policies
The history of the colonization of America the New World was dictated by the political policies and beliefs of the countries of Europe. These political policies encompassed the concepts of Expansion, Capitalism, Imperialism, Colonialism and Mercantilism to the benefit of the Europeans and the total detriment of the Native American Indians.

  • Definition of Mercantilism - Practice of creating and maintaining wealth by carefully controlling trade. The Europeans all wanted to monopolize the fur trade
  • Definition of Imperialism: In the early 1600's South America was largely controlled by Spain or Portugal, but North America was mostly unclaimed. England and France wanted to establish its own empire. Establishing colonies in America provided land and new trading opportunities
  • Definition of Colonialism: In the 1600's the Europeans brought with them the system of colonialism, primarily to generate income, which encompassed "the policy and practice of a power in extending control over weaker peoples or areas." A major cause of conflict in the 1600's
  • Definition of Capitalism: Lucrative Trade in America led to growth of capitalism, the investment of money to make a profit.

America the New World

  • Interesting Facts and information via America the New World

  • 1America the New World

  • Fast Facts and info about America the New World

  • America the New World - a great history resource for kids

  • Social Studies Homework help for kids on America the New World

Pictures and Videos of America the New World
America the New World saw the establishment of the first 13 colonies which were divided into 3 groups; New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies.  Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Bay Colony (which included Maine), New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Delaware, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. We hope that this article on America the New World will assist in your studies or homework and that you will enjoy watching the videos featuring many pictures of the colonists. A great educational resource for kids on the subject of America the New World.

America the New World - Colonial America - America - Facts - Great Britain - America the New World - Colonists - England - English - America the New World - Spain - France - netherlands - Europe - European - Colony - Colonies - America the New World - Map - History - America the New World - American Native Indians - US - Definition - Interesting - America the New World - Information - Info - Short - Kids - Children - Studies - America the New World - US - United States - America - USA - French - English - America the New World - British - Spanish - Social Studies Teaching resource - Social Studies - History - Teachers - America the New World