Spanish Imperialism

692 Words3 Pages
As the fifteenth century encompassed the first occurrence of European seafarers laying their eyes upon the New World, it set forth a new distinction within the course of history. Once these maritime voyages took place, numerous European nations sought out land in the New World to settle upon, such that they could exercise their dominion over it, as well as the natives whom already lived there for centuries prior. Furthermore, as these European colonists arrived throughout different parts of the New World, ways in which they had expressed their control may have differed likewise. Two of these markedly contrasting settlements include those belonging to the Dutch and Spanish. Regarding religion, Spain conducted their conquest with Catholicism…show more content…
As the Protestantism following rapidly expanded throughout Europe, the orthodox Catholic influence of Spain was an intentionally dominant factor in the New World. Even as of the pope’s vindication that Spain must spread Catholicism to the Indians, this task took on a whole new measure of importance. On the other end of the spectrum, stood the immense religious toleration held by the Dutch. Considering that Dutch settlements attracted a diverse set of colonists from French, African, Belgian, Irish, and more ethnic backgrounds, a whole array of practiced religions would follow suit. Thus, once Governor Petrus Stuyvesant, a supporter of the Dutch Reformed Church, came out against the open practices of multiple religions, it was remarkable to see how the Dutch West India Company officials annulled his accusations, and act Spain certainly would have not carried…show more content…
For instance, the Spaniards employed extensive local factions, councils, and viceroys under their imperial authority, whereas the Dutch settlements simply maintained a military station, with a lacking of a basic governing entity. Nonetheless, on a grand scale, their empires nearly mirrored each other, both with power establishments in Europe, the Americas, and Asia - Indonesia and the Philippines for the Dutch and the Spanish, respectably- and an international commerce networked between these
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