sumerize
The Spanish Colonies
By the mid-18th century, Spain had the largest empire in the Americas. It had claimed lands stretching from southern South America all the way to what is now British Columbia. However, while the Spanish were adept at claiming these lands, they were not effective in establishing colonies in North America. Building permanent, successful colonies was the only way to truly establish territorial claims. For example, in the late 18th century, the Spanish had heard rumours that Russians were operating a sea otter fur trade on the coast of what is now Alaska. To support its claim to the west coast, Spain established a colony called Santa Cruz de Nuca in Nootka Sound. This was the first European settlement in what is now British Columbia. The colony was really only a military outpost, though, so it did not attract Spanish settlers, and it did not flourish. Britain was also exploring the west coast, and because it was not being settled by the Spanish, the British felt they could make a claim. When British ships entered "Spanish Territory" at Nootka Sound, the Spanish seized the ships. War was averted, however, through negotiations. Spain deserted its colony and dropped its claim in 1795.
18th century spain biggest empire in america
The Early Dutch Colonies in America
In the early 17th century, the French, English, and Dutch established themselves on the west coast of North America. While Champlain was building Quebec, Henry Hudson was exploring the Hudson River for the Dutch, and the English were establishing the colony of Virginia. Sweden, which had a large empire centred on the Baltic Sea in northern Europe, established a colony on the Delaware River. These nations were after natural resources, and they tended to run their colonies like businesses. Dutch colonies, for example, were proprietary colonies operated by companies licensed by the Dutch government. The Dutch West India Company had started with colonies in the West Indies (the Caribbean). By 1624, it had established a colony called New Netherland along the Hudson River. The Dutch West India Company held a monopoly on all commerce in the colony. It was primarily interested in establishing a fur trade, as the French had done farther north. However, it also fulfilled its obligations to encourage and support Dutch settlement. By the 1630s, the largest community was New Amsterdam, which was located at the southern tip of what is now Manhattan Island. New Netherland was successful, especially when it was led by Peter Stuyvesant, who became governor in 1647. Because the Dutch were tolerant of different religions, Stuyvesant welcomed anyone who wanted to settle in New Netherland. The community of New Amsterdam soon became culturally diverse. Stuyvesant also expanded the colony, which he did in part by taking control of New Sweden in 1655
The Early English Colonies in America
British colonies developed both north and south of the Dutch colony. By the beginning of the 18th century, the British controlled the Atlantic coast of North America from Acadia (Nova Scotia) to north of Spanish Florida. Four sets of colonies emerged, which together became known as the Thirteen Colonies.
What were factors behind imperialism?
Colonies in north america were ruled by a governor from the home country.
Some colonies had more freedom in local decisions, but the governor's decision was final.
Colonies were expected to give resources to the home country so they could get rich.
In the thirteen colonies, trade controlled by navigation acts passed by english parliament in the late 17th century. They were extremely restrictive of what they were allowed to do with trading.
The treaties made it so that all ships with goods had to be british, Intercolonial trade had a duty fee, foreign goods had to pass through a british port before reaching america.
The treaties lasted until the mid 17th century.
Imperialism and Prejudice
Imperialism may be linked with prejudice. For example~, if the European colonists believed that they were superior to other people, they could do what they liked when establishing colonies. If they wanted a territory, they took it. Individual colonists rarely recognized their own prejudices. They tended to view the "New World" as an uninhabited land. Many of _ them took great pride in carving a piece of European civilization out of the "wilderness" of North America. On an individual level, these people did not understand why First Nations would not accept change.
Slavery and the Triangle Trade
In the British West Indies, slaves were put to work on plantations growing sugar cane. Sugar cane was a very valuable crop, because it was used to make three very popular products: sugar, molasses, and rum. Sugar cane is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. It was transplanted by the English, French, and Dutch to islands they controlled in the Caribbean in the 17th century. For the British, sugar cane and slavery were the two key elements in the Atlantic
triangle trade. The Atlantic triangle trade kept British ships full on every step of a route between Africa, North America, and Europe. Slaves were transported from West Africa to the Caribbean and the Thirteen Colonies. The ships then picked up sugar, rum, and other raw materials for transport to England. Manufactured goods were then taken from England to Africa, where the goods were used to acquire more slaves. The middle and New England colonies did not have large-scale plantations, but the colonists there still participated in trade by providing the furs, fish, and lumber that Britain needed. Most people in Britain benefited from slavery economically, but they never saw it in person on the plantations. Does this lessen their responsibility?