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A Summary Of The European Colonization

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In the year following Christopher Columbus’s “discovery” of America, European powers began to turn their attention to the prospect of colonizing the newly discovered land. With the discovered land seemingly expanding with each new exploration, the possibilities for expansion both territorially and religiously were extremely appealing to these countries and in time they made their way across the sea and established their colonies each with their own style or rule which revealed its efficiency in time (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!, 19). The European move to colonize began with a major world trading force, the Chinese, stepping out of the way. With their initial motivation being a demonstration of power, their large ships and sailing experience gave them every opportunity to take the lead. However without a real desire to expand and colonize they stepped aside (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!, 15). Portugal and Spain became the next major players in the game of colonization. Portugal being the farthest country on the Iberian Peninsula needed a way to be included in the trade with Asia, prompting them to create bigger and faster boats to take them down the African coast (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!, 15). Their creation of new technologies and colonization of the Africa paved the way for them to establish trade routes with the new world (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!, 17). Unfortunately, Portugal was not able to economically or politically back any expeditions to the new world which

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