European Exploration and Colonization of the New World Causes and Effects

Why did Europeans come to the New World? Economic reasons: to trade with Asia for spices, silk, perfumes, dyes, rugs, and porcelain; also, obtain wealth in gold, silver, and diamonds Political and international reasons: to be stronger nations by obtaining land and establishing colonies Cultural reasons: to spread Christianity; escape religious persecution and bring “civilization” to other people

England (or Great Britain): North America What countries established colonies in the New World (and what areas did they settle?) England (or Great Britain): North America France: Haiti; Canada; and North America Spain: Cuba; Puerto Rico; South America; and Mexico The Netherlands (Dutch): North America Portugal: Brazil

Native Americans (who they incorrectly called Indians) Who did Europeans encounter when they arrived? What happened as a result of European actions? Native Americans (who they incorrectly called Indians) Some cooperation between the groups—with trade of goods (Native Ams. trapped furs and traded for European guns and other goods) Native Ams.: taught whites to grow corn, potatoes, and squash Fighting over the land—whites wanted to own it

Effects of Europe’s actions (cont.) Diseases—killed 90% of Native Am. Population; incl. measles, smallpox, and syphillis Whites brought livestock: horses, pigs, and cows mestizos: mixed race Spanish and Native Am. English: forced the Natives to work the land—but then needed a new labor force Indentured servants: whites paid their way to the New World by working for a number of years (usually 7-10)

Effects of Europe’s actions (cont.) Slavery: became important in the south/Caribbean to work the plantations; affected Africa and African-Ams. Environment: was negatively affected by overuse of farming, raising livestock, and fur-trapping

Perceptions of Native Ams. Columbian Exchange: Europe sent plants (sugar, coffee, rice), diseases and manufactured goods (guns, pots/pans, clothing) to New World; New World sent crops (corn, beans, squash) and gold and silver to Europe African Americans went from Africa to the New World

Perceptions of Native Ams. (cont.) Spanish: originally tried to settle on the east coast; took over the southwest; Catholic missionaries: came to convert Natives to Christianity (Reconquista); Spanish and Natives had children together; also acted brutally towards Natives when they disobeyed Requirimiento: Spain’s “divine right” of conquest Presidio: military fort

Perceptions of Native Ams. (cont.) French: also had missionaries to convert Natives more favorable towards Natives due to trade: Natives trapped furs, in exchange for guns, alcohol, and goods had few settlers come--mostly male traders exchange of culture: clothing and architecture Natives signed treaties with all Europeans

Perceptions of Native Ams. (cont.) England: many early settlers died from disease, starvation, and Native attacks Natives: did help whites grow crops; had cleared the land for farming shared goods and skills: fishing and farming techniques (Squanto and Pocahontas) did not marry Natives; at first favorable to them--later saw them as uncivilized “savages”

Perceptions of Native Ams. (cont.) Document 1: Natives believed in many gods; whites baptized them to become Christian Document 2: Natives were impressed by horses--and the “speed and fury” of them; and the power of them Document 7: Natives didn’t know about custom of shaking hands; whites showed them tobacco--and how to use guns and iron axes; guns changed Native life

Perceptions of Native Ams. (cont.) Document 11: Natives were impressed by white ships; thought whites “ate wood and drank blood”; Natives gained political power with Europe’s goods; biggest effect on Natives was diseases Document 12: shows the fast decline in Native Am. populations in the New World