How Did Colonization of the Americas Both Enrich And Weaken European Countries - Essay Example

? How did colonization of the Americas both enrich and weaken European countries? How did colonization of the Americas both enrichand weaken European countries? Introduction By the fifteenth century, European countries had gained awareness of distant places such as China, Africa, and India. By the year 1650, most of the American Atlantic coastline came under the control of European powers. European countries, such as Great Britain, Spain and France, were involved in the conquest and colonization of America. Europe as a whole received some benefits from the colonization of America. In addition, there were some benefits that accrued to the various European countries involved in the colonization of America. However, apart from the benefits from the colonization of America, European countries also experienced some disadvantages from the colonization (Kicza, 2003). This paper focuses on ways in which the colonization of America both enriched and weakened European countries. How the Colonization of American Enriched European Countries The discovery and the colonization of America have contributed to the increase in the enjoyments of European countries, as well as the augmentation of the industries in Europe. European countries imported the surplus produce from America, thus, providing the inhabitants of the European continent with commodities that they did not possess before the colonization. Some of these commodities were used for ornamental purposes and while others had uses for pleasure, this contributed immensely to increase in enjoyments. Industries in Europe underwent development as a result of the colonization of America. Goods produced in industries of European countries were sent to the American markets. For example, countries such as Portugal, Spain, England, France, and Germany benefitted a lot by exporting industrial products to the American markets (Picket & Picket, 2011). Another way in which European countries got enriched from the colonization of America included the acquisition of land. Native Americans used to practice nomadic farming, and they did not consider land as belonging to a single person. Although the Europeans faced resistance from the Native Americans, they soon overpowered them and took away their lands. The Europeans carried out farming in these lands belonging to Americans and shipped the farm proceeds back home. This played a phenomenal role in ensuring that food shortage could not be experienced in the European countries. Therefore, European countries benefitted from carrying out farming in land belonging to Americans (Kicza, 2003). During the time of colonizing America, English, Basque, and French fishing fleets arrived and regularly visited the coasts of Cape Cod and Newfoundland. The fishing fleets set up semi-permanent camps to dry their catches on the coasts. In addition, these fleets were involved in trade with local Indians, which was of immense benefits to the European countries. They exchanged manufactured goods for commodities such as furs, thus encouraging and contributing to trade activities in Europe. Therefore, the European countries enriched themselves by acquiring fishing grounds in America and gaining commodities not produced in Europe (Picket & Picket, 2011). During the conquest and the subsequent colonization of America by European countries, Europe benefitted immensely as they were able to provide for their large population. European countries that conquered America attained land, which they used to grow crops such as tobacco that could be sold in Europe; for example, the colony of Jamestown was used for tobacco growing. Tobacco from this colony was exported to England by 1619. The Europeans also benefitted from the cheap labor available in America. For example, Native American Indians could be enslaved and used to provide labor in the farms belonging to the European settlers. Furthermore, African Americans sold during the Atlantic slave trade acted as cheap sources of labor in the farms of European settlers (Mancall, 1995). Countries in Europe, such as England, enriched themselves during the colonization of America, especially through the establishment of the Act of Navigation. This act enabled Great Britain to become a monopoly of the colony trade, and this led to an increase in the country’s wealth. Foreign trade in England increased in proportion to its wealth due to the expansion that the country had done to the colonies in America. In addition, trade between the European countries became widespread with the expansion of Europe to America. This was further necessitated by the fact that the European powers could exchange products, which they got from other colonies, between themselves (Mancall, 1995). During the time when America was a colony of European countries, the citizens of these countries reaped immense benefits from the colonization of America. The surplus produce of the American colony used to be sent to the European countries colonizing it, while other countries could buy the commodities from the colonizers. Therefore, the commodities used to be cheaper in the European countries colonizing America than any other countries. This contributed to the economic development of the European countries that colonized America. These countries emerged powers at the expense of other European countries that they traded with and the American colony (Picket & Picket, 2011). European countries also benefitted by integrating their cultural systems to the people of America. Some of the settlers who traveled to America used to be missionaries who had escaped religious prosecution in Europe. They spread the religion of Christianity in the United States, making Americans embrace European religious beliefs. The Europeans viewed the Americans as prehistoric and people whose traditions were barbaric. As a result, they introduced their own cultural beliefs to Americans, which played an essential role in their conquest of America. Americans viewed Europeans as more developed than them; this served as an incentive that enabled the Europeans to spread in the United States (Jaffary, 2007). How the Colonization of America weakened European Countries The Colonization of America weakened the European countries in a number of ways. One of the ways in which the colonization weakened the European countries included loss of some of their cultural beliefs as they got influence from America. Issues of gender in Europe mainly centered on patriarchy while most of the Americans used to be matriarchal. Colonization of America weakened the culture of patriarchy, which was a common phenomenon in Europe. As a result, European countries were forced to accept some of the aspects of the American culture, such as matriarchy, which used to be traditionally unacceptable in the European cultures (Jaffary, 2007). The colonization of America by European countries led to the American Revolution, which culminated the rule of Britain in North America. During the Revolutionary War, Britain spent a lot of money while fighting in the war; this led to an increase in national debt. As a result, Britain had to raise taxes, which could be used to offset the huge debts. The war also led to adverse impacts on the trade, which Britain relied on to gain wealth. Imports and exports experienced dropped, leading to a recession that caused the price of land and stocks to drop. The colonization of America led to the war between the various countries, which expressed interest in making America their colony. Britain, France, and Spain were not in good terms as each of the countries strived to exercise control over America. This led to constant naval attacks between countries in Europe, thus, disrupting trade (Kellogg, 2010). Another way in which the colonization of America weakened European countries was through the weakening of European troops, leading to a decline in the strength of the armies of most European countries. During the colonization of America, the European countries involved lost a lot of soldiers as a result of the defeat by the Americans. This led to the emergence of America as one of the strongest world powers while Europe lost influence in its colonies. European countries such as Britain lost thirteen colonies in America, although they retained some in Africa, the Caribbean and India (Kellogg, 2010). Conclusion In conclusion, European countries reaped immense benefits from the colonization of America. Through colonization of America, they acquired resources and essential raw materials that could be used in European industries. They also carried out trade easily between themselves by colonizing America. However, there were ways in which the European countries were weakened by colonization of America. These countries invested a lot of their resources to fight and conquer the colonies. This weakened their economies and quality of life in Europe. These countries were also involved in constant wars between themselves as each country strived to exercise control over America. References Jaffary, E. N. (2007). Gender, Race and Religion in the Colonization of the Americas. London: Ashgate Publishing. Kellogg, W. O. (2010). E-Z American History. New York: Barron's Educational Series. Kicza, J. E. (2003). Resilient cultures: America's native peoples confront European colonization, 1500-1800. London: Prentice Hall. Mancall, P. C. (1995). Envisioning America: English Plans for the Colonization of North America, 1580-1640. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Picket, M. F. & Picket, D. W. (2011). The European Struggle to Settle North America: Colonizing Attempts by England, France and Spain, 1521-1608. North Carolina: McFarland. Read More