The Empires in the New World

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The history of development of European empires in the Americas dates back to the early sixteenth century. Western Europe created vast colonial empires in the Americas. Of the various colonial empires, the Spanish and English were the most prominent which brought a dramatic change in the natural and human environment in the Americas. The voyage of Christopher Columbus in August 1492 marks as the formal beginning of European entry in the Americas. While arriving at in the New World, Christopher Columbus was filled with an immense ambition for colonizing the islands and gathering riches. Both the English and Spanish had more or less the same core motive in coming to the Americas. However, the English and Spanish differ largely in their approach to accomplish their goals. The English and Spanish empires in Americas differ largely in terms of their relation with the native people. The treatment of Spanish colonist was much harsher than that of the English. Buoyed by the stories of gold lying to the west, Spanish conquest was focused only on gather invaluable treasures rather than building relation with the native settlers. The invasion of Aztec empire by Hernán Corté (1485-1547) with superior weapons aided by vicious attack dogs represents the climax of brutality and the harsh treatment of Aztec warriors fighting bare foot with stones, spears, and arrows. Spanish were not at all tolerant of their unique identity and beliefs. On the other hand, English People were able to build a comparatively closer relation with Native Americans. The relationship was built on humanitarian grounds at the beginning. Indians helped English adventurers with food and other basic supplies when they were transitioning into an entirely new life in the Ne... ... middle of paper ... ...the true faith that all people must believe; whereas, Indians believed in the existence of god as a spiritual power guiding all human lives on the earth, and did not actually belong to any specific religion. (maybe be more specific here because Christianity is technically a ‘spirtual power’). Hunting and farming was the main religion of the Indians. Settlers started treating Natives different way than they used to, it is was because of religion. Europeans and the Natives had issues about land and the religious beliefs. Meanwhile, settlers started demanding private land and asked Indians to stay off the settler’s land. This literally became the main cause of the war. Beside English and Spain, France and the Netherlands also showed immense interest in establishing their empire in the New World. Their first prominent settlement started in early seventeenth century.

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