Spanish and English Models for Colonial Development

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In the early 1600’s the colonization of the new world had started between the English and Spanish. Although they both came with very different things in mind they were both discovering America and looking for establishment. The English were focused on economic refuge, freedom of religion, and economic opportunity. The Spanish came to the New World for vastly different reasons. The Spanish came in search of silver, gold, and were driven by avidity. “The first conquests were made by the Spanish and Portuguese.” As the Spanish began to colonize in the New World they eradicated a large portion of the Native Americans.” “If it had not been for Christopher Columbus, Spain might never have gained an American empire.” Their sole purpose was for personal gain and self-profit they were not interested in maintaining a permanent society in the New World. The Spanish would soon start to steal goods from the Native Americans which would include valuables such as gold and silver. They would send these valuables back to Spain on ships. The Spanish were more involved in supporting their mother country than that of the New World. “The Spanish introduced new domestic animals. New Mexico developed an economy that combined farming with ranching in sheep, goats, and cattle; trade in buffalo hides and deerskins; and commodities including salt and pine nuts.” The Spanish colonies developed a system called Encomienda. They used this system to exploit and control the Native Americans, making them do all manual labor on the lands in return they offered them legal protection and religious guidance. Spanish colonies were also lacking in natural abundant resources which in turn made their struggle for economic development much more difficult. The English varied greatly in their intentions for the New World colonization. They sought out the New World for different reasons; some
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