North America DBQ

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European Colonization of North America was a vast occurrence in North America when Europeans arrived in 1492. European Nations ought to gain something from establishing control of the Native territory in the Americas, such as resources that would boost their economic status, to spread religious beliefs, and to gain higher authority and power that would allow them to acquire a higher sense of being and to be seen as accomplished and powerful; which is why the reason for European colonization of North America between 1492-1700 can be defined as what they called the 3 G’s, known as God, Gold, and Glory. The search for the 3 G’s is what the Europeans strived for; they believed that this would be what would lead them to success. The European motive …show more content…

Every European nation wanted to be praised, honored, and recognized for any sort of achievement or discovery they contributed to. So in search of new opportunities and resources they could get their hands on to flourish in lifestyle and economy, they decided they could find it in North America, where they came to know that the natives had an abundance of resources that would serve them well. As shown in Document 3, a written source from Samuel de Champion in 1609, the native islands were abundant in fine woods, wild animals, hefty fish, grains, and unlimited fruit. Claiming such territory, especially one so rich and abundant in material, would allow the European monarchs to gain more power and strengthen their position in European politics. Competition and thirst for glory was grand for major European nations.Furthermore it is made known in Document 6,written by John Gilmary, that the South river in this area is partly settled by Dutch and Sweden. The Swedes did not believe that it was fair for the natives to have at hand all these resources of this river on their own, near this river it is reported for a gold mine to be located. This shows that the Europeans seek economic opportunity in these areas. Supply and materialment money and profit, all which contribute to Glory for European Nations. The more money one inhabited, the more respected and powerful such a nation would gain, which is why colonialism was so important for the Europeans. An example of this is how European countries such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, and England would compete in the amount of glory they obtained. This would lead the following European nations to colonize quickly and aggressively. Each nation had a different plan for how they would make the most of colonizing other lands, some being more successful than others, such as England. This goes to demonstrate that a key motive for colonization was the thirst and

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