European Exploration and Settlement of America

European Exploration and Settlement of America APUSH

Causes of European Exploration and Colonization

  • Economic Factors

    • Desire for trade routes to Asia for spices and goods.

    • Search for new sources of wealth (gold, silver).

  • Religious Factors

    • Protestant Reformation leading to religious conflicts.

    • Desire to spread Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism).

  • Political Factors

    • Growth of nation-states.

    • Competition between European powers for territory and dominance.

Developments and Lifestyle of Colonies

Spanish Colonies

  • Explorers

    • Christopher Columbus (1492), significant for claiming parts of the New World.

  • Colonization Approaches

    • Royal and viceroy-led colonies.

    • Establishment of missions and conversion efforts.

  • Economy and Labor Systems

    • Encomienda system led to exploitation of indigenous peoples.

    • Asiento system as replacement for diminishing native population; importation of African slaves.

French Colonies

  • Explorers

    • Jacques Cartier (1534), established claim to territory in North America.

    • Samuel de Champlain founded New France.

  • Relations with Natives

    • Built alliances with Native Americans, particularly the Huron.

    • Emphasis on fur trade, leading to intermarriage and cooperative relations.

English Colonies

  • Exploration and Settlement

    • Henry Hudson (1609) explored for the Dutch.

    • Established charter and joint stock companies for colonization.

  • Relations with Natives

    • Initially aided by natives for survival, eventually led to conflict.

    • Major conflicts include Anglo-Powhatan Wars and King Philip's War.

European Context Before Exploration

  • Renaissance

    • Innovations in technology such as navigation and shipbuilding.

  • Religious Wars

    • Protestant Reformation challenging Catholic authority, leading to Catholic Counter-Reformation.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

  • Agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands.

  • Aim to prevent conflicts over colonies acquired through exploration.

Columbian Exchange

Biological Exchanges

  • Europe to Americas

    • Livestock: horses, cattle, pigs.

    • Crops: wheat, sugar, coffee.

  • Americas to Europe

    • New crops: potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco.

    • Introduction of diseases to the Americas (smallpox, influenza).

Spanish Colonial Society

  • Social Hierarchies

    • Spanish caste system categorizing people by heritage.

  • Conflicts with Natives

    • Pueblo Revolt (1680) illustrating native resistance against oppression.

    • Varied relations through conversion attempts vs. exploitation.

Vallodolid Controversy (1550-1551)

Bartolome de las Casas

  • Advocated for native rights and criticized Spanish exploitation.

  • Described Natives as humble and eager to embrace Christianity.

Juan Gines de Sepulveda

  • Argued for Spanish dominion over natives, depicting them as inferior.

  • Justified violence against natives based on perceived barbarism.

French Colonization Strategies

  • Focused on Jesuit missionary work and establishing trade networks.

  • Expansion along rivers, creating alliances with Native tribes for trade.

Conclusion

  • Various motivations for European colonization led to complex relationships with Native Americans.

  • Distinct approaches and colonial policies shaped the development of Spanish, French, and English colonies, each with unique societal structures and relations with indigenous populations.