Introduction
European colonization of the Americas is traced back to the 15th century 1 . During this time the naval powers of Western Europe had a greater desire to establish control over the continents of America. 2 The major countries involved were colonization Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Britain and the Netherlands (McAlister 1984). The first wave comprises of Ottoman Empire, Spain, and Portugal. 3 The second wave of European colonialism was spearheaded by the engagement of Britain in Asia. 4 It is reported that countries like France Netherlands and Portugal registered also registered their presence in Asia (Erlandson 2002, 71-73). The profound “Scramble for Africa” was the final wave that consisted of many countries colonizing the African continent. For effective occupation and colonization, the countries involved subscribed to the terms of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. 5
Reasons behind Colonization of the New World
Several scholars have pointed out three renowned motivations behind the European conquest of the New World. These include religion, God and glory. 6 In the year 622 the Christians living near Arabia, Saudi and Mecca staged violent campaigns against the domination of Muslims in the “Holy Land” (Sandberg, 12-13). The domination took place after a revelation by a Muslim prophet Muhammad who revealed that Jesus Christ was a prophet and not God as perceived by Christians. 7 In 1905 the crusade gave birth to the ideology for the “Reconquista” which means re-conquest (Sandberg, 12-15). The European Christians decided not only to reclaim Jerusalem but also the surrounding areas. Colonization became a method of continuing “religious conquests.” Catholic nations took advantage of this to justify global Christian dominance through conversion of the Native Americans. 8
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Maritime-trade between the East and West increased as a consequence of the “religious conquests.” 9 The Crusaders developed a desire for new products they came across. To merchants relied on the port cities of Western Europe and the Silk Road which became unprofitable over time. 10 The need to sea access to more wealthy states that were guarded by Muslims propelled the explorers to seek new trade routes to the Spice Islands and banish the Muslim middlemen. 11
A thirst for glory hastened colonization of the New World. Two countries; Spain and Portugal both wanted to global dominance. 12 Prince Harry, the Navigator of Portugal, led the exploration of Africa and the Atlantic in the 1400s. 13 Portugal employed strategic holding over islands and ports along the western coast of Africa to Congo, western coast of India, Brazil, and Atlantic islands. 14 In retaliation, the Spanish commenced their own expedition led by an Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1942 who sailed west in search for a new trade route to the Far East. 15
Spanish Colonization of the Americas .
At noted above their expedition was led by Christopher Columbus. They established their empire in the Caribbean in islands such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola as bases. 16 Their conquest was expended to most parts of North and South America. The Taino people Aztec, Inca and Maya, are among the indigenous peoples the Spaniards came across. 17 The motivations for colonial expansion were trade and the spread of the Catholic faith by converting the indigenous people. 18
The Spanish used the “encomienda” system. Ideally, the system placed indigenous people in groups under Spanish superintendence to further cultural assimilation and conversion to Christianity. In practice “encomienda” led to massive exploitation of natural resources and forced labor under oppressive conditions with increased loss of life. Though the Spaniards did not set out to annihilate the indigenous peoples, believing their numbers to be inexhaustible, their actions led to the extermination of entire tribes such as the Arawa. 19 In the 1760s, an expedition dispatched to fortify California, led by Gaspar de Portolà and Junípero Serra, was characterized by slavery, “forced conversions” and genocide through the introduction of disease. 20 The conquistadors invaded the North and South America’s mainland. 21 It is estimated that up to eight million indigenous people died during the initial Spanish conquest of the Americas making the largest deaths in the modern era. 22
Portuguese colonization of the Americas
Portugal colonized parts of South America specifically Brazil. They unsuccessfully tried to colonize Canada. In North America, they came across the Corte-Real brothers who helped them explore Greenland which was allegedly part of the Portuguese empire in 1500. 23 The second Portuguese India Armada Pedro Álvares Cabral came across the Brazilian coast. Previous exploration by Vasco da Gama to India suggested the existence of new land in its west open Atlantic. 24 To protect their control over Brazil, the Portuguese has to fight in “Second Battle of Guararapes” against the Netherlands in 1964. 25 The Netherlands surrendered later in 1965 and Brazil was left to the Portuguese. Their occupation in Brazil subjected the Natives and African slaves to intense labour because their main goal was to trade. 26 Other countries like France and Germany came to the New World looking for ways in ocean and wealth.
In summary, these expeditions resulted in positive and negatives outcomes. On the positive side, trading activities increased in the regions they exercised control. This was evidenced by large-scale exportation of goods and effective control of plantations that produced the same 27 . However, the use of force resulted in the loss of lives, slavery, cultural imposition and spread of Spanish-imported diseases to the natives. 28 The negative outcomes would be different if the colonialists employed peaceful means such as collaborations and compromises. Most of the native communities that have become extinct would still be alive to contribute to the new world their prestigious indigenous knowledge.
Bibliography
Erlandson, Jon M. "Anatomically modern humans, maritime voyaging, and the Pleistocene colonization of the Americas." The first Americans: the Pleistocene colonization of the New World 27 (2002): 59-92.
McAlister, Lyle N. Spain and Portugal in the New World, 1492-1700 . Vol. 3. U of Minnesota Press, 1984.
Sandberg, Brian. "Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early
modern Atlantic world, 1492-1700." Journal of World History (2006): 1-25.
1 Jon M Erlandson “Anatomically modern humans, maritime voyaging, and the Pleistocene colonization of the Americas” The first Americans: the Pleistocene colonization of the New World 27 (2002) 63.
2 Sandberg, Brian. "Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world, 1492-1700." Journal of World History (2006) 13.
3 Erlandson “colonization of the Americas” 60-70.
4 Erlandson “colonization of the Americas” 66-67.
5 Erlandson “colonization of the Americas. 86-87.
6 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 3.
7 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 13.
8 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 11-16.
9 Erlandson “Colonization of the Americas” 70-85.
10 Erlandson “Colonization of the Americas’ 90.
11 McAlister Spain and Portugal in the New World , Vol. 3, (U of Minnesota Press, 1984) 1492-1700.
12 McAlister, Spain and Portugal in the New World, 1492-94.
13 Ibi d, 1492-94.
14 Ibid, 1498-1503.
15 Ibid , 1492-1560.
16 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 7-15.
17 McAlister, Spain and Portugal in the New World, 153o-.86.
18 Erlandson “Colonization of the Americas” 59-92.
19 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 3-20.
20 McAlister, Spain and Portugal in the New World, 1600-03
21 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 5.
22 Ibid, 23-25.
23 McAlister, Spain and Portugal in the New World 1552.
24 Erlandson “Colonization of the Americas. 64-68.
25 McAlister, Spain and Portugal in the New Worl 1550- 53 .
26 Ibid, 1554-59.
27 Ibid 1690.1700
28 Sandberg “Beyond encounters: Religion, ethnicity, and violence in the early modern Atlantic world” 20-25.
