Paige L. Pham Professor Hardy Western Civilization 003 26 April 2024 The European Imperial Dominance of the 1600s By the 17th century, European imperial dominance over the world was solidly established. Stemming from the culmination of the late 15th century Age of Exploration, motivation including the desire for wealth, power, and religious conversion, inspired European powers to deploy on ambitious voyages of discovery which ultimately shaped the history of the world. This essay aims to rummage through the multifaceted reasons behind the astonishing developments, investigating the economic, technological, and political factors that led to the rise of European imperial dominance by the 1600s. Beginning, European imperial expansion was fundamentally …show more content…
Conflict would soon arise after much competition between rival powers. For example, the Treaty of Tordesilla in 1494 divided the newly discovered territories between Spain and Portugal, establishing a legal framework for their colonial enterprise in the Americas later (National Geographic Society). Moving forth, the establishment of colonial administration in the newly dominated Spanish America prompted other European entities to want to establish their own colonies in the New World, hoping to extend their wealth and dominance around the world. Political rivalries and competition among European nations fueled imperial expansion, as each entity sought to gain a strategic advantage and further its political position. Thus, the political factor played a pivotal role in shaping European imperialism. In conclusion, the astonishing development of European imperial dominance was driven by economic, technological, and political factors. Capitalizing on their economic ambitions, technological advancements, and political strategies, European nations expand their control over vast territories around the
Toward the end of pre-colonial times in Europe, due to the fall of Constantinople, many European nations felt the need to find an alternate route to the East Indies. The trade of rare goods such as spices, rice, exotic fruits and silk fabrics were much in demand, but came at extreme prices. In the beginning of the ‘Age of Exploration’, Portugal was in the forefront with the early explorers Henry the Navigator, Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira, and Diogo Silves discovering the Madeira Islands, the Azores, and the exploration of Africa respectively, but King John the II of Portugal was unconvinced by Christopher Columbus’s pleas to fund his plan to sail West to the East Indies. Columbus made many demands for self-profit, including ten percent of any riches with which he returned, and even an ‘Admiralty’. Subsequently, Columbus took his plans to Queen Isabella of Spain. Spain acquiesced, and Columbus set off on his fateful journey. The Roman Catholic Church was very interested in expanding the Christian faith during this time and applied its influence on the monarchy. Religion also played a large personal role as Columbus truly believed that God spoke to him, and guided his hand. Additionally, at this time in Europe, land and food were at a premium. The monarchs of the era were fully aware that the acquisition of more land, slave labor and possible natural resources would greatly increase their power, prestige and subsequent wealth. After learning of Columbus’ successful return and the Treaty of Tordesillas (which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal), King Henry VII of England threw his hat into the ring and sent John Cabot sailing from Bristol on an attempt to find a shorter route to the ‘Indies’. Not to be left out in ...
Imperialism destroyed relations with international colonies, and increased tension among each nation. (Document 5.) European countries desired overseas expansion and strived to obtain markets for consumer goods. However, these expansions interfered with the rights of overseas citizens, and caused a series of conflicts to prevail. While colonial inhabitants were politically, economically, and socially unstable, imperialist forces competed for leadership. Competition among European nations divided the regions. War was on the horizon for countries like Germany and France who sought after the same region, Morocco. Similarly, both Britain and France desired the territory of Sudan, while Russia and Austria-Hungary battled for the Balkans, evidently intensifying rivalries, and possibly leading to war. Imperialism was a competitive force that inevitably led to crises among rivaling nations. Due to severe opposition and competition as well as discontent in colonized regions, imperialism can be considered a major factor leading to World War
In the mid 18th century many different powers in Europe were trying to spread their influence and gain global power. However, this was not without difficulty. There were many regional issues that these powers needed to overcome such as economic complications, struggles with native and conquered peoples, and competing with other European powers.
Cipolla, Carlo M. Guns, sails and empires; technological innovation and the early phases of European expansion, 1400-1700. Manhattan, Kan. : Sunflower University Press, 1985.
Imperialism has become a driving force among European nations in the growth of power and wealth. European countries placed large values on controlling colonies, similar to how members of the aristocratic society today would put emphasis on owning an immaculate mansion or an expensive car. Colonies formed in Latin America, Africa, and Asia were seen as status symbols for the overarching European countries; colonies represented economic strength and political power, which was fueled by intense nationalistic spirits. Competition for colonies became the biggest aspect of imperialism, leading several European powers to bicker over controlling colonial trade. The voices of the Colonists were oppressed and ignored as their land and resources were encroached upon by the Europeans.
During the sixteenth century, Spain had become the most powerful country in both Europe and the Americas through its successes in the New World. The Spanish throne funded Columbus’ exploration that eventually led to the discovery of what will be known as the Americas. The Spanish Empire created the model for the colonization of the Americas through their conquest of the two most powerful empires in the Americas--the Aztec and the Incan. These conquests also provided the Spanish with tons of riches, thus pushing them towards the seat of power.
The Treaty of London (1604) ended the war between England and Spain and secured Spain’s position as a leading power in the world. Although the war was over, there were still plenty of tensions between the two countries. There is no hiding the fact, that the rivalry between England and Spain in the 1500s and 1600s assisted in spurring the colonization of the New World in completion of new land, wealth and power. Military bases for warring against Spain could also be created in the New World and encouraged England’s colonization as well. Without doubt, the war with Spain and the rivalry created afterwards, was a major stimulation in building new colonies in
The Age of Exploration in Europe developed along with the Renaissance. In Western history, both periods served as transitional movements between the early modern and Middle Ages periods. The evolution as well as advancement of abroad exploration was fueled by competition between growing European empires like England and Spain. The size as well as the influence of European empires expanded greatly during this time as it was motivated by profit, religion and power. The exploration’s effects were felt both abroad as well as in the geographical boundaries of Europe itself. The political, cultural and economical influences of Europe’s early stages of international exploration affected the continuing development of European society as well as the whole world.
Before the American Revolution, the trends of colonial history remained rather consistent. The European superpowers continued to expand, reaping exponential benefits from the nations in which they colonized. Thomas Bender argues that the American Revolution was not just a revolution for the people of the continental United States, but was rather the starting point of a continuous global revolution that inspired social change and governmental autonomy for the colonized people. Bender examines global trends in Central and South America, as well as Europe before America’s Declaration of Independence to demonstrate that prior to the American Revolution, the great powers of Europe ruled with minimal backlash, exploiting weaker nations for increased
Looking back into history, at around the 1500s to the 1600s, people were very much the same in the sense that many countries were looking to aggrandize their economy and appear the greatest. It was this pride and thinking that motivated many of the superpowers of the world’s past. Two such monarchies in the European continent included England and Spain, which had at the time, the best fleets the world has ever seen. Because both were often striving to be the best, they conflicted with one another. Although England and Spain had their differences, they both had a thirst to see new things and it was this hunger that led them both to discovering different parts of the “New World” and thus, colonizing the Americas.
Introduction: The epoch of imperialism cannot be defined simply as a proliferation of inflated egos tied to the hardened opinions of nationalists, but also a multi-faceted global rivalry with roots of philosophies tainted with racism and social Darwinism. The technique of each imperialist was specific to the motivations and desires of each combative, predominantly Western power and subsequently impacted the success of each imperialist and its colonies. Driven by industrialization, Europeans are aware of the urgent need for raw materials and new markets to maintain a constant rate of expansion and wealth. Imperialism became a competition; in general, the European countries led with fervor while the non-Western regions deemed likely to be stepped on.
In the late 1800's, many European powers had colonies throughout the world where their ships, both naval and merchant, could take on supplies. Imperialism can also be encouraged by patriotism, religion, and a sense of cultural and racial superiority. During the late 1800’s, a strong feeling of nationalism swept most European countries.
Stott, Anne. "Europe 1700-1914: A Continent Transformed." europetransformed.blogspot.com. University of London, 7 March 2011. Web. 30 November 2013.
The foundation for new imperialism rested on the ideas and products of the enlightenment. Advancements in technology, medicine and cartography led to the success of new imperialism (Genova, 2/15). For example, European voyages would have been for naught, if it were not for the enlightenment discover...
Intro Paragraph / Thesis Before beginning to examine successful civilizations, historians must be familiarized with the meaning of success. Success is the completion of a course of action or goal that ultimately benefits the person or group who has achieved it. The “group” can range anywhere from a mere group of friends working on a project for school to a powerful empire of millions of people and warriors. This idea of success is illustrated throughout history, in civilizations across the world. Empires of all sorts have had their own successes and losses, but it is essentially up to historians to sort out the progress from the failure and decide if civilizations have been successful or not.