The Failure Of The Colonization Of America

American colonization by European powers began as early as the 10th century. One of the most extensive colonization was of Christopher Columbus’s expedition, where he in advertently found the Americas. His voyages sculpted the way for European conquest, exploration, colonization, and industrial development. Arrivals of European nations triggered extensive demographics and social change. England and France attempted in creating colonies in the 16th century, however failed to do so. In the following century they were able to establish permanent colonies with the Dutch Republic as well. The more nations gained interest in the colonization of America, the larger the competition for territory became. Competition revolved around resources and led
Each nation had its own cultural theorization resulting in multiple models of colonization. The English sought out to create agricultural colonies, where they sent larger groups of men and women to obtain land and populate the settlements. On the other hand, Spain wanted to establish a tight control over colonization of the Western Hemisphere and convert the natives. The French and Dutch efforts used trade alliances and intermarriage to gain furs and other products to send to Europe (Taylor, 24-28). Colonization and settlement was an invasion of territory controlled by the Natives for many years. Indians saw the European arrival as an intrusion and they dealt with many obstacles involving the invasions. However, the Native Americans did not succeed in resisting the invasions or accommodating with the European powers. Another group that played an important part in the invasions were Africans. For years, the establishment of colonies lacked an amount of labored needed to prosper. Every European power used African slavery as a advantage to provide labor on their lands (Taylor,
Over time, British colonies developed similar patterns of government, law, culture, and institution. However, efforts to link the colonies together was not successful. Their goal to create a hierarchical imperial structure with mercantilist economic aims would not work due to the colonial resistance and conflicts with American Indian groups. In return of resistance of imperial control, self- government introduced ideas of liberty, religious independence and diversity, and political thought of the Enlightenment. The Navigation Acts were efforts to these into effects. The idea of the act was to protect English shipping. Three fundamental principle that helped shape the Navigation Acts were that only English ships could trade with any colony, only a few commodities produced in the colonies could be shipped, and all goods can be carried to colonies. It sought to enhance customs revenue collected in England and increase the flow of commerce (Taylor,