Spain's Success In Recolonizing The New World

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Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose with little loss or detractor of gains. Between 1492 and 1700 four European countries set out to colonize the New World motived primarily by success and rivalry. The four European countries; Spain, France, Netherlands, and England had different motives, goals, and obstacles in colonizing the New World. The question of which European country was the most successful in colonizing the New World is a reoccurring argument between many historians. Netherlands, through their establishment of a parliamentary government, religious toleration, and a most profitable joint-stock company to exist were the most successful European country to colonize the New World. Many will argue Spain as …show more content…

The parliamentary government also benefited the Dutch’s economy. As stated earlier Dutch had the most valuable and profitable joint-stock company to exist because of their parliamentary government. Adriaen van der Donck, Dutch lawyer and countrymen, outlines the Dutch colonization tactics and happenings in New World in his work, Description of the New Netherlands. Donck says, “We see how much trade has advanced in two or three years since we have encouraged the settlement of the country, and by going on from year to year, the gain will advance proportionally” (Adriaen van der Donck). The parliamentary government were law makers who were potential investors of the joint-stock companies. The law makers passed laws that made doing business in the New World easier. Passing laws that made business easier allowed the joint-stock company to thrive and investors to make a great profit. Therefore resulting in a prosperous economy. Donck goes on to say, “By so doing we shall always have a free and unobstructed commerce to and fro, and enjoy a free and profitable trade with the Lords’ colony, from and to their own country, which in time will increase so much as now is deemed incredible” (Adriaen van der Donck). Dutch’s main goal in colonizing the New World was profit and they achieved this goal with little loss. Analyzing the Dutch’s colonization strategy furthers my argument of their success in colonizing the New World. “There then is no place in the world better situated, New Netherlands, where we have all things together, such as provisions, ship-timber, plank knees” (Adriaen van der Donck). The Dutch were the most successful European country to colonize the New World. Dutch colonizer had a goal, focused on it and executed

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