Spanish Empire Research Paper

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The Spanish Empire was the first European power to arrive in America, first arriving in mid-1510s. Mexico and Florida were the first areas of America to have been occupied and explored by Spain. Spain’s original intentions in America, just like France and England, were to find resources and economic success. In Mexico, they discover precious metals, such as gold and silver. This was Spain’s main economic resource and became highly desired in Europe. However, instead of developing settlements and colonizing, like the Europe counterparts, they mostly build outposts for the conquistadores. After Spain secured their territory, Spaniard Priests and Missionaries were to America and began to work with the natives to convert to Catholicism and live a Catholic life style. The success of Spain’s exploration to the New World encouraged other European countries, like France and England, to explore America. The French went to America to, like Spain and England, look for economic success. However, along with economic success, they were also looking for a route to Asia through the Americas. French began to colonize in modern-day Canada around early 1540s. The area where France was occupied did not have as many natives living in the area, unlike Spain and England. The cold environment lead the French to …show more content…

However, England would quickly change their desire to mainly focus on colonization in America. The main reason for this change was to, not only expand the English empire, but to escape from the religious crisis developing in England. These colonies had a little more “freedom and flexibility” in religion practices. The main economic resource during the beginning of English colonization was Tobacco, which was just as desired as gold. Eventually, the English colonies would use maze, sugar, and lumber as other trading

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