Intro to Colonization - AKFCS Freshmen

Colony

Settlements in distant/different areas where new lands come under the control of another country, predominantly done by European powers

Mother Country

European countries that are moving around the world taking over colonies

New World

Area in the Americas (North and South America) that was colonized in the early 1600s

Mercantilism

Belief that there is a finite amount of money in the world

Cause of Colonization (Social/Political)

Europe was becoming overpopulated and needed new places to live

What is an example of Social/Political colonization?

Experiments such as Australia/Georgia with criminals or undesirable people

What is another example of Social/Political colonization?

Rewards such as land grants (e.g., Carolinas given to supporters of the king Charlemagne)

Why was land important socially/politically?

Land is a status for countries

Cause of Colonization (Economic)

To get resources for free

How did colonies provide money to the mother country?

Through taxes and forcing colonists to buy products from the mother country

What is mercantilism?

Belief that gold is finite, so countries must get gold from colonies or fight other countries to gain more

Cause of Colonization (Religious)

To avoid religious persecution (being punished for your religion)

What is an example of Religious colonization?

Pilgrims from Britain avoiding persecution

Who were missionaries?

People that moved around to convert others to Christianity

What is an example of missionaries?

California cities were named after Spanish missionaries sent to convert natives to Christianity

Where did the British colonize?

East coast of the US and Northern Canada

Where did the Spanish colonize?

Central and South America

Where did the French colonize?

Quebec, Canada and central US

What other countries colonized?

Russia and Portugal

What were the results of colonization?

Led to large-scale conflicts

What kinds of conflicts happened?

European countries vs each other, European countries vs colonists, European countries vs Native Americans