How Did The Europeans Turn To Overseas Expansion

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The Europeans turned to overseas expansion because they were seeking profits for themselves and advancement for their own nations or classes. In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella funded the four voyages of Christopher Columbus, and these journeys served to open the door for European exploration, exploitation, and colonization. This essay will discuss the experiences of the Spanish, Dutch, and French and explain how they dealt with the many obstacles that stood in their way. Generally speaking the expansion was based on profits. The Spanish was the first to become dominant in the new world. The Spanish conquest was driven by gold, greed, glory, and religion. The conquest resulted in enslaved and ruined local populations. Disease and war were introduced…show more content…
The acquisition of Louisiana was a major accomplishment for La Salle and for France (39). The newly discovered river way gave the French a rich, untapped source of furs as well as an alternative shipping route, allowing them to avoid the cold, stormy North Atlantic (39). Louisiana’s location between Spain’s claims and the Dutch colony gave Louis leverage in international diplomacy. Despite the territory’s strategic location, fertile soils, and fur-bearing animals, few Frenchmen showed any interest in settling there (47). In the absence of an agricultural establishment, the small number of settlers in Louisiana had to depend on imported food (47). At first, ships from France carried provisions to the colonies, but war in Europe frequently interrupted this source (47). In desperation, the colonists turned to the Indians (47). The local Indians were reluctant to aid the Frenchmen. At times, the local Indians would refuse and sometimes hostile. Increasingly, settlers in Louisiana followed their Spanish neighbors’ example by importing African slaves to do the necessary work (48). By 1732, slaves made up two-thirds of the population

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