European Colonization Essay

At one point in history, several nations of Europe became the most powerful and dominant in the world. Five major nations rose to power, and each had one and one thing only on their mind: superiority. Surpassing all others, Portugal, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands emerged as the dominant nations of Europe. Although they attempted many things in order to enhance their power and dominance, they all relied on one common aspect: colonization. Colonization would lead to territorial expansion, as well as economic and political prosperity. By establishing colonies all over the world, the trade and profit would be enormous. These five European nations traveled around the world, colonizing any land they could find, in hope to broaden their empire and achieve complete supremacy. This colonization brought them wealth and power, but something else emerged from this colonization: the birth of several new cultures, people, and identities. Portugal was the one responsible for sparking the initial interest in exploration and expansion in Europe. Portugal became the first to engage in colonization, and led to the rest of Europe following and competing for power. Initially, Europeans longed to find a route to Asia, since there were rumors of extraordinary empires and cities, as well as the many economic opportunities, resulting in increased wealth and trade. As Europe tried to find an all-water route to Asia, many attempts were made, most ending in failure. Finally, in 1498, Portuguese captain Vasco de Gama arrived in Asia after sailing along the western coast of Africa and around the southern tip to reach the Indian Ocean. This discovery opened the gates for future European exploration and colonization, and encouraged Europeans to set sail for new lands. The world would soon be revolutionized with the expansion of European colonization, and its traces can still be recognized even to this day. Portugal’s primary reason for colonization was for the wealth and profit. Using armed force, the Portuguese arrived in Asia and were determined to establish new trading empires, even if they had to eliminate some other ones in order to accomplish this. In the early 1500s, a Portuguese governor, Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa and made it the administrative center for Portugal’s Asian empire. He then conquered Malacca, a wealthy city on the Malay coast, and Hormuz, which was on the Persian Gulf. However, Albuquerque was not satisfied and moved on to claim the Spice Islands and Ceylon. By the 1550s, they also reached China and Japan, and established a trading center at Macao, China. Although Portugal seemed to benefit initially from this trade, it failed to maintain this empire since it lacked the financial resources and power, since it was a fairly small nation. The arrival of the Spanish and Dutch, as well as other Europeans, also threatened Portugal’s empire. After losing most of its Asian territory to a powerful opponent, the Dutch, Portugal went to colonize in the Americas, which was founded by Spain in 1492. This vast land was occupied originally by the Natives, but the Europeans flocked by the thousands to conquer territory and gain profit from the land and people. While on his way to Asia, Pedro Cabral, a Portuguese sailor, was blown off course and ended up in Brazil. He immediately claimed the land for Portugal and colonization began in South America. Although the Portuguese were incapable of maintaining their colonies in Asia, they were able to maintain Brazil. Captaincies, huge plots of lands, were granted to donataries, individuals who agreed to finance the colony in exchange for power of the

future territory. This was based upon the Spanish encomienda system, where wealthy colonists were granted land to harvest for profit. The Portuguese used a very similar system, as they enslaved the Natives for labor. This often led to conflicts and bloodshed between the Natives and Portuguese. Large plantations called fazendas provided most of the incoming wealth, as well as gold mines. Brazil was ruled by a governor appointed by the king who maintained both civil and military organization. The donataries of the captaincies also held some power, as they were the original people who financed the colonies. Colonization in Portugal included the introduction of several new crops in Europe, since the Americas contained a new type of land for new crops and produce. Some products included corn, sugarcanes, and coffee. The Portuguese sold these products in Europe, where there was a high demand for new products from the Americas, and generated a very beneficial profit. Portugal also led to cultural diffusion in the Americas. One example is that Brazil’s national language is Portuguese, which reflects that the Portuguese left their culture implanted in their colony. A negative consequence of this colonization was the deaths of the Natives. Disease and warfare quickly annihilated thousands of the Natives, and this was seen all throughout the Americas, not just Brazil. Portugal also practiced mercantilism, which was a policy where a country’s power was based on its gold and silver. This policy closely limited the colonies’ trade and restricted them from trading with others unless authorized by the mother country. This hunger and growing lust for wealth will eventually cause many problems. One of Portugal’s fiercest rivals was its neighboring country on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain. The Spanish came to colonize for profit and wealth, mainly in their search for gold and valuable metals. The Spanish had few colonial possessions in Asia, since they were preoccupied with a war against the Muslims when the other Europeans began exploring. They managed to claim the island of the Philippines, and were the first to attempt something different. Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator, proposed a daring idea and proclaimed that he could reach the east by sailing west. Ferdinand and Isabella were reluctant, but approved his voyage. In 1492, Columbus, thinking he was in Asia, landed in the Caribbean and claimed it for Spain, conquering several islands. Although Columbus did not establish many permanent colonies, he paved the path for future Spanish colonization in the Caribbean. In 1519, a Spanish conquistador, named Hernan Cortes, arrived in Mexico, eager for land and gold. The Aztec ruler, Moctezuma, was foolish enough to embrace Cortes and that ultimately led to the downfall of his people. After a fierce battle, with both sides facing many casualties, Cortes captured the city in 1521, and took the entire Aztec Empire, stretching from Mexico to South America, which included the Isthmus of Panama. The Spanish were consumed with greed, and their hunger for more wealth lured them back to conquer more land. In the late 1520s, Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, raided the Incan Empire and plundered the gold and silver, generating unbelievable profit. By the 1570s, the Spanish added the entire western coast of South America to their empire, making the Spanish the most dominant nation in the Americas at the moment. The Spanish employed an encomienda system, which granted wealthy colonists a plot of land, which included the Natives living on the land, and it was the encomenderos’ responsibility to harvest the land, and generate

some profit by forcing the Natives to work. A viceroy was appointed by the king to govern each viceroyalty, which were basically provinces. Viceroyalties included New Spain, New Castile, New Granada, and La Plata. The audiencia was a council which advised the viceroy, and the Council of the Indies oversaw affairs, and reported to the king just to keep things in check. Encomenderos also held power since they were the original colonists who established and financed the colonies. Most of the wealth came from agriculture and farming, since many new crops were available which would become popular in Europe. Haciendas were large plantations and farms, which made up most of Spanish territory, where the Natives were forced to work tirelessly. A social hierarchy also developed in Spanish colonies. On the top were peninsulares, who were completely European and the original settlers. Creoles were next, and they were Europeans born in the Americas. Mestizos were those of European and Indian origin and mulattoes were those of European and African ancestry. At the bottom were zambos, who were of Indian and African parentage. Mercantilism was also a policy practiced by the Spanish. The Spanish benefited enormously from all this economic prosperity, and became one of the wealthiest nations in Europe. They also caused cultural blending, but left a devastating impact on the Native American population. An example of cultural influence is that most of the territories that Spain conquered speak Spanish as their official language and incorporate some sort of Spanish dance, music, food, and traditions into their culture. Spain also benefited from the enormous profit being generated. The Dutch were intense rivals with Portugal and Spain, and also wanted to colonize to expand their trade and increase their wealth to obtain superiority. When the Portuguese established their empire in Asia, the Dutch were eager to benefit from their profit and so they conquered most of these lands for themselves. In addition to Portugal’s territory, they also gained Batavia, Sumatra, Cochin, and Nagasaki, Japan. They even established the first permanent colony at the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. Like the other Europeans, the Dutch were also eager in colonizing in the Americas. They began to colonize in the Americas when they found that there was no Northwest Passage, and so that they might as well colonize the New World. Portugal established the colony of New Netherlands in the Hudson River Valley. Peter Minuit, the governor, purchased New Amsterdam (Manhattan Island, NYC) from the Canarsee tribe. Besides this, the Dutch did not have much territory in the Americas. Eventually, the English drove the Dutch out of the Americas and they began to decline in status. Dutch territory in the Americas was ruled by a governor appointed by the king, and they relied on the fur trade for their source of economic profit. They established trading centers and posts, and traded with the Natives and French, although they ran into many conflicts with the Native tribes. The Dutch preferred private companies to establish colonies by granting them a monopoly on any trade they might conduct. Despite generating some profit from the fur trade, the Dutch were declining progressively and were pushed out of their territory by the English. The Dutch created many hostilities with the Natives and led to future disputes and conflicts. They sometimes over-trapped beavers for their fur, which disrupted the natural balance of things.

France was also involved in colonization. They initially began searching for a Northwest Passage to Asia, but ended up colonizing in the Americas when they realized that they could not find an alternate route. France, like its predecessors, wanted a part of the wealth and trade occurring in the Americas. Their primary source of profit was the fur trade with the Indians. In 1603, Samuel Champlain arrived in New France to trade furs and established a productive trading system with the Natives. He successfully accomplished that and also conquered all of eastern Canada, including Quebec, Montreal, and Nova Scotia. Robert de La Salle conquered the entire inland of North America, which they called Louisiana. In addition for the wealth and profit, France, as well as Spain and Portugal, wanted to gain converts. They all tried to convert the Natives by establishing missionaries. The French set up trading centers and posts and lived together with the Natives, promoting peace and prosperity for a while. The French were smart enough not to get into conflict with the Indians sine that would damage their trade and economic prosperity. The French benefited from the enormous revenues gained from the fur trade, which they sold in Europe for its high demand and popularity. The French spread their culture with the Indians, since they lived together and established close relationships. An example of cultural influence in the Americas is that Canada speaks French, which recognizes French influence on future American nations. England was one of the world’s greatest colonizers, as well as the most dominant nation in Europe, and is known throughout the world for its attempts in colonization throughout the globe. For example, England has conquered numerous communities and civilizations. The English came to the Americas for completely different reasons then Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Spain. Although they did seek wealth and profit, it was not their main priority. Many came for religious freedom and tolerance, political persecution, and to start a brand new life. The first colony was in Jamestown, Virginia, established by John Smith. The colonists came looking for gold, but couldn’t find any. Just when the colony was ready to collapse, John Smith and John Rolfe saved the colony. Soon, they introduced tobacco, which became immensely popular, and they made great profit from their sales. Others came in search for religious freedom and toleration. The Pilgrims wanted to separate from the English Church, so they came to Plymouth and established a colony. The Puritans found a larger colony in Massachusetts Bay, while others left to form colonies in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Soon, the Dutch were driven out, and they gained New Jersey and New York. Eventually, the English colonies included 13, stretching form Maine all the way down south to Georgia. Later on, the English gained all French territory in the Americas, making it the most dominant nation in North America. Governors were appointed by the English government to govern each colony, and the colonists had very few liberties. Strict laws and rising taxes were placed upon the colonists, and eventually they revolted and gained their independence, forming the early United States. The English also controlled the northern part of Canada, as well as a few Caribbean islands. They also established trading posts scattered throughout Asia. The English made sure they had tight control of their territory since the last thing they wanted was to lose such profit. Relations with the Indians usually ended in conflict as colonists kept pushing inland, as the population began to increase gradually. Warfare and bloodshed between the Natives and English was not uncommon. The

most important aspect of colonization, just like previous colonization, was the cultural blending. The English have left great influence on the United States, but have also inflicted great damage to the Natives. English customs, such as language, literature, art, and others, are still seen today. European colonization occurred all over the Americas, but they all shared something in common. They all had similar impacts on their colonies, regardless their civilization or location. The most productive aspect of colonization is the cultural blending that took place, which led to the birth of several different civilizations and cultures. Because colonization in the Americas was sponsored by several different nations, each of these nations brought that culture with them and transplanted upon their colonies. When these colonies meet, ideas and beliefs were exchanged, allowing cultural diffusion. This blending of culture brought about new cultures, and as different people mixed together, they produced new civilizations of people. The most negative aspect of European colonization is the millions of lives that were lost over senseless bloodshed and warfare. The Natives were forced out of their land and they were robbed and cheated from. Millions of Natives were enslaved, and a great majority of them died. Africans were taken from the homes, split apart from their families, and forced to perform cruel labor. The brutal, inhumane practice of slavery was incorporated into American society and history, and that mark of shame will always stay upon us, as a permanent stain in our history. European expansion and exploration has played a crucial and essential role in establishing modern-day nations, civilizations, and cultures. Their influences can still be seen even today, for a multiethnic and diverse community has emerged from colonization. The Europeans started off as conquerors, but soon become the creators of new people. The Europeans came here for power and wealth, but they left us with something much more than that – an identity. European colonization has forged new cultures, and that is the most important part of colonization. However, many lives were lost in the process to create these new cultures, which can never be forgotten. Colonization brought many groups of people together – the various Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans – but united them as a whole, and that is the significance of colonization.