How Did European Influence American Colonization

Throughout my lifetime, I have found myself to be naturally inquisitive, and ever wondering what lies beyond the horizon, be it geographical or metaphorical. It is this urge, desire, or need to seek the unknown, that led the European colonization of the New World. In this case, the major goal was to profit from undiscovered and untapped resources, enriching the nation-states and improving their standing in the European theatre. Another factor that played a major part in the expansion of European influence to the American Continent, was the improved commerce that came about following the ‘Black Plague’. There had been improvements in shipbuilding, and increased demand in foreign trade from the growing population of prosperous merchants. Monarchs had become more powerful in Europe, and with the solidification of nation-states in Europe, came more available resources to explore outside of Europe. It was only a matter of time until the small world of the European Continent sought a growth in both landmass, and global influence. The major
The Spanish sought to enslave them, and use them for labor, while the French traded heavily with them, and in many cases, assimilated into their cultures. The English in Jamestown had a difficult and tense relationship with the local Indians. Although they relied on the Indians for food, the settlers still saw them as ‘subhuman’. The settlement’s intrusion into Native territory led to much bloodshed on from both parties. In Massachusetts, the Indian population had already been decimated by epidemics when they settled Plymouth Plantation. These new diseases were inadvertently brought over from Europe on earlier expeditions, and all but wiped out the locals. St. Mary’s seems to be an exception, as earlier settlers did not seem to bring diseases. Positive relationships were built and maintained with the Indians during this short