Age Of Discovery

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Nathan Evans Dr. Mayes AMH 2010 5 Oct 2011 Part I: B. Why did England decide to establish colonies in the New World and what challenges did early colonists face? The Age of Discovery was a time when droves of modern man dared to leave the safety of his homeland and journey into the unknown. The Spanish were the first to set sail, followed by the English, the French, and the Dutch; each a major European power in pursuit of their own individual interests. While establishing the colonies was a universal hardship suffered by all prospective settlers, a closer inspection of various internal and external factors will allow us to understand why it was England that emerged as the dominant presence of the New World. There were many reasons independent of British control that ensured their colonial success in North America. The Spanish had preoccupied resources and were negatively affected by intermittent warfare with various nations, including the Dutch, the French, and the British. (Graebner, Fite, and White 22). They were also more interested in conquering and converting than they were establishing trade routes and settlements ("English, French, and Spanish Exploration (Overview)”). Conversely, the Dutch came to the New World seeking fresh trading areas and sources for ludicrous goods in high demand back in Europe (such as tobacco, sugar, fur), and brought with them a tolerance towards disparate beliefs (Union of Utrecht 1579). While this was good for business, the multifarious demographic of the New Netherlands fostered a prominent lack of unity and loyalty amongst colonists that proved to be a major weakness during forthcoming times of stress (Bannon 238). Like the Dutch, the French were also chiefly drawn to exploration for trade and resources (particularly fur) (Bannon 9). Unfortunately, the French never amassed the population numbers to establish themselves
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