Compare And Contrast Native American Imperialism

Life for the Native people of the Americas during the European colonization period wasn’t cordial. As the Spanish, French, and the Dutch nations conquered territory in the new world, they pillaged cities, stole resources, forced many into cruel labor, and destroyed native culture. Subsequently, they established their own rigorous commands to which the natives had to adhere. The powerful European nations came to America with different ideas toward colonization. Some were eager to conquer lands and expand their religion, others to establish trade connections, and most to enrich their countries with endless wealth. Although the nations differed in some ways, they were similar in one way or another. Religion was a major focal point during the
The Spanish empire, the strongest advocate for the catholic church, its main focus was to expand the reach of Catholicism in the new world and to stop the natives to fall into the grasp of Protestantism. Throughout California, the Spanish instituted the mission system, to help convert thousands of natives into Catholics. While the Spanish were stricter towards the natives, the French took a more lenient approach. France arrived in the new world trying to establish fur trade connections to enlarge their countries wealth. With their humane approach, they created long-lasting friendships and alliances. A missionary religious order from France, the Jesuits, attempted to convert the native population into Catholics. Their approach was more tolerant than their European neighbors because they allowed the natives to keep their social structure, and to some extent their traditional religious practices. And if completely converted, they were promised full citizenship. Lastly, the Dutch nation, whose central religion was protestant, were far more open-minded than the French and the Spanish, as they offered freedom of religious practice to its people, albeit if practiced privately. Furthermore, as the Dutch colonized America, they recognized native territory and legitimately purchased land from