Gold European Conquest

“Gold, God and Glory” were motivators of exploration and led Europeans to colonize in ways that fostered economic development and Christianization. The conquest of European expansion and or conquest of the 15-16th century was mainly led by the declination of resources as well as essentials for new ones. European nation-states rivaled by two nations wanting to gain these increasingly scarce resources due to the depletion. This meant that all nation-states were aggressively looking for new land. They dreamed of finding new territories and gaining enormous riches.

There was a big demand for resources in almost all parts of Europe because of the population pressure. They were rebounding from the plague, where economy underwent abrupt and extreme inflation and people abandoned their

friends and family, fled cities, and shut themselves off from the world.

New assets were required to fulfill the yearn of necessities needed for Europe to sustain its increasing population. They were trying to rebuild their economy and they started by building ships for trade and discovery of new worlds. Due to this there was an obligation for timber but as deforestation occurred they were in search for more. Luckily when new lands were found there was large quantities of timber leading to the need to colonize. The new territories not only supplied timber but human capital, or in other words slavery. The natives that lived in these newly found territories were captured and sold for money. Cortez and his conquest for Mexico led to his control of natural resources as well as enslavement of natives. When more countries and explorers saw this opportunity to take people and use them as personal laborers they jumped to the occasion. Soon slavery became even more profitable than spices. Encomiendas and haciendas were an interesting way to claim that slaves were not just laborers and brought immense riches to Europe. The desire to be the wealthiest and biggest nation was what all fantasized about especially Spain who was not only

fueled by a strong religious fervor but a strong desire to gain wealth and prominence. Spain aspired for gold and even started sending out people on quests to fetch it. Spain sent de Soto to search for gold in the area beyond what is now Florida as far as traveled as the Mississippi River but he found no gold. Columbus was another and with his effort to discover a new trade route to China also coupled with his quest for gold. Gold contained much value, still today, and many were out to get it. In hence, more land and resources led to a higher status and more prestige.
The discovery and urge to conquer and colonize new lands was sought out to be a positive and sustenance fulfilling it had many negative outcomes. There was a rapid and thorough decimation of the native population due to the expansion of slave trade. Many natives were either killed or used as slaves. There came to be a large transformation of Europe’s economic and religious lives and new ideas came about. New ideas arouse like skepticism which questioned whether we as human beings are truly able to perceive the world around us with any degree of accuracy. The Columbian exchange which was the widespread transfer of animals, plants, culture, human populations, technology and ideas came about. This led to radical changes in agriculture and diets, as well as in values and technology. Gold and silver infused the European economy was the main focus and income but later since there was so much of it the prices began to drop. Lastly, inflation started benefited the middle classes but in the course, hurt the poor and those on fixed incomes because of jobs and lack of opportunities presented. The increasing wealth of the middle class was an important change in the social structure.
In summary, European conquest was mainly factored by the aspiration of wealth and the necessity of new resources being used up by increasing populations. Throughout this expansion into finding new lands led to many negative effects on both Europe and the New World/lands discovered.