God, Gold, Glory

Motives for European exploration of the New World

God

Religious freedom ~

Puritans (1620s) came to practice religion their own way

Protestant Reformation ~

A split in the Catholic church (1500s); Catholic & Protestant countries spread their brand of Christianity to the New World

Gold

Natural Resources ~ Gold, Silver, new food/plant items

Wealth (Mercantilism) ~ Colonies exist to benefit the mamma country; wealth was taken out of the colonies to enrich treasuries

Northwest Passage to Asia ~ lucrative trade route was Holy Grail of exploration

Glory

Rivalry between nations ~ more territory meant more national glory

Nationalism ~ a pride in one’s nation.

Age of Exploration

Spirit of adventure!

European treatment of Native Americans

In general, Natives were viewed as inferior & to be exploited for economic, political & religious gain.

Spanish policy ~ conquer, enslave, intermarry

French policy ~ alliances, trade (furs), relatively good relationship, few French colonists

English policy ~ coexisted initially followed by warfare. English saw Natives as “savage”; Natives were threatened by English land grab

Review

What were 3 Economic reasons for exploration?1. Natural resources2. Northwest Passage3. Economic opportunities (see push factors)

What were 2 Social reasons?1. Religious freedom from persecution2. Settlement opportunities for debtors & the poor

What was 1 major Political reason?1. Expansion of the power and influence of the

European countries (ie. England’s position against Spain)