Learning Activity for America before Columbus

Europeans were motivated to conquest to gain money, and trade was one of the channels where they found it. However, during

European’s main logic for beginning their exploration of other countries was mostly based on their desire to achieve more wealth and status. Many of the sailors had gained new knowledge regarding navigational techniques and their curiosity encouraged them to explore unmarked territories such as Asia and the Americas.

Since there were many nations involved, there were many attributes that led up to imperialism. Firstly, the Europeans wanted economic expansion. Since the industrial revolution had taken place, the Europeans were in need of more natural resources. They also wanted new markets for the sake of selling industrial products. To achieve this they had to look for more places outside of Europe and colonize it.

Thus, a primary cause of European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries was Europe’s desire to find new routes to Asia in order to participate in trade with the Middle East.

______ 11) What economic policy encouraged the development of colonies, particularly by northern Europe countries?

1). The Nations of Europe sought to expand their empire because they were on the verge of overpopulation.Between 1550 and 1600 the population grew from three million to four million people. Also, England and Spain were at a war for power. The Spanish attempts at colonizing the New World had been extremely successful, for they had gained both wealth and power. The English did not see such success, as their ships would crash, be lost to the seas, or their colonization efforts would cease to be useful. Through the Spaniards control over the Americas they had gained a massive naval army, noted as the Spanish Armada. The Spanish attempt to invade England in 1588 failed which lead to the beginning of the fall of the Spanish empire in the New World.

iii.The trade introduced new products to Europe and European products to peoples around the world.

1. What fundamental factors drew the Europeans to the exploration, conquest, and colonization of the New World? What was the impact on the Indians, Europeans, and Africans when each of their previously separate worlds “collided” with one another? What caused the shift from indentured servant to African slaves as the dominant labor force in the southern colonies?

The European economy was the primary motive for European explorers to voyage and conquer the unknowns.

European colonization of the New World began during the European age of exploration and following the discovery of resources in the New World. The various motives of the Spanish, British, and French imperialists were reflected in the political, economic, and social changes that occurred in the areas each government claimed. These changes are very distinctive and led to drastic changes in their respective areas.

We are all aware of the fact that when the Europeans traveled to the New World, they conquered it. This has been taught to us throughout our lives. However, there are many theories as to why the Europeans dominated the New World. There may have been many factors that led to the fall of the people living in the New World. Thus, I believe the main three reasons I received, alliance that was formed, and disease that was contracted from the Europeans.

This chapter is talking about the European empires in the America, and how they reached there, and also for what purpose. The Europeans realized that they have to change their positions and build their empire or expand their empire in somewhere else, and they found that America is the best place for them. The geography helped the Europeans to migrate to America and it made it easier for them to reach there, because Portugal, Spain, Britain, and France were much closer to America rather than the Asian part, and also they understood the wind direction so they could easily travel to America and reach there. Europe was poor compered to China and India because China and India used Indian Ocean for trading. The Europeans used a great strategy for

There are many reasons as to why the Europeans were able to make empires far away from their homelands. The first reason being that Europeans were near the Americas unlike their opponents (Asia) in which were father away. The Europeans were determined to gain more land, enlarge the religion of Christianity, and expand the economy by gaining more territory. Every European had their own reasoning for wanting to expand therefore, everyone had their own motives. Another reason that enabled them was that they were also involved in trading which helped them transport items to and from the Americas. The last reason was the Europeans immunity to diseases. While many Americans fell ill because of all of the European diseases, the Europeans did not, enabling them to conquer more land.

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).

Another factor was the desire for land and power. By having colonies around the world, the European countries could increase their status as hegemonic nations. By having