Imperialism: The Role Of Colonialism In Rio Grande
Colonialism is the establishment, influence, and exploitation of a piece of land through a political power from another country. One way for colonialism to happen is to create settlements in a foreign region. The Spanish had enough resources and supreme military power to take over the Americas despite the rebelling natives. “The Europeans conquered it, in spite of resistance by some 300 native people” (Chapman 4). “As early of 1598, Juan de Onate had led a group of colonists to the region north of the Rio Grande. These colonists set up small agricultural villages and ranches along the rivers and established the mission and town of Santa Fe in 1609” (Downey 43). Establishment of colonies meant more power, and the goal of the Spanish, French,
Dutch, English, and Portuguese, who had competed in gaining the New World, was to “keep other Europe nations out of the lands they had claimed” (Downey 41). Next, colonialism influenced the culture of the indigenous people living in that area. For instance, the Spanish “wanted to convert the Indians to Catholicism” (Downey 41) and sent priests on their endeavors to colonize the Americas. Finally, the dominant country made use of the territory. Exporting goods from the colony to the main country was common among all the European countries that had settled there. “Nations could gain wealth by mining silver and gold at home or overseas. Thus, Spain sent conquistadors to the Americas to seize the silver and gold mines” (Changing Ways of Life 448). Data shows that Spain received many exports from South America, which included “almost all silver and some gold, as well as hides, tobacco, and medicinal plants” (Chapman 55). The English also took advantage of their settlement. Trade initiated between the colonists and Britain, with the colonists exporting raw materials to England and the British sending manufactured goods over to the colonies to support them. Incidentally, they wanted pristine materials that obnoxious people could not get.
Dutch, English, and Portuguese, who had competed in gaining the New World, was to “keep other Europe nations out of the lands they had claimed” (Downey 41). Next, colonialism influenced the culture of the indigenous people living in that area. For instance, the Spanish “wanted to convert the Indians to Catholicism” (Downey 41) and sent priests on their endeavors to colonize the Americas. Finally, the dominant country made use of the territory. Exporting goods from the colony to the main country was common among all the European countries that had settled there. “Nations could gain wealth by mining silver and gold at home or overseas. Thus, Spain sent conquistadors to the Americas to seize the silver and gold mines” (Changing Ways of Life 448). Data shows that Spain received many exports from South America, which included “almost all silver and some gold, as well as hides, tobacco, and medicinal plants” (Chapman 55). The English also took advantage of their settlement. Trade initiated between the colonists and Britain, with the colonists exporting raw materials to England and the British sending manufactured goods over to the colonies to support them. Incidentally, they wanted pristine materials that obnoxious people could not get.