The European movement into the Americas had profound effects on both Native American societies and European colonizers. Before the arrival of Europeans, Native American societies were diverse, with unique cultural practices and traditions. The colonization of America was motivated by a desire for economic opportunities, religious freedom, and the expansion of their empire. The colonies succeeded due to the favourable political climate, natural resource access, and capitalist economic development.
Before the arrival of Europeans, Native American societies were diverse and complex, with different ways of life, practised different customs, and held different viewpoints. For example, some natives were agricultural, including the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas, who developed sophisticated farming systems.[1] Moreover, others were hunter-gatherers who relied on hunting and gathering for subsistence. Examples include the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Apache. Generally, Native American societies also had rich oral traditions, artistic expressions, and spiritual beliefs, all of which were disrupted by the entry of European foreigners.
During the European migration into the new American continent, there were several transformative changes in this new world due to the exchange of goods, animals, plants, diseases, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds, transforming the economies, cultures, and societies of both. This transformation was referred to as the Columbian Exchange. The exchange of goods and ideas led to the developing of new industries and technologies. For example, the tobacco industry emerged, the introduction of horses, and the increased use of gunpowder. However, the exchange of diseases such as smallpox and measles devastated Native American populations. Being indigenous, there did not build immunity to these diseases, and many perished as a result. For example, a smallpox pandemic killed more than 15 million natives in Mexico in 1520.
Europeans’ advent into America altered Native Americans’ and Europeans’ lives. Native Americans experienced forced assimilation, sickness, and displacement due to European colonialism. On the other hand, the reservation system and the eviction of tribes from their ancestral lands were new forms of economic and political organization that Native People had to learn to adapt. Colonization opened up greater economic opportunities and religious liberties for Europeans. The colonies allowed Europeans, like the Puritans in New England, to start over and flee persecution.[2]
Economic opportunities and religious freedom were the main drivers behind the English colonization of America. The English intended to create new trading markets and find new suppliers of raw commodities like tobacco, furs, and wood. Many immigrants yearned for the opportunity to establish their communities and the freedom to practice their religion publicly. For instance, the original Boston colonists pushed for creating a “city upon a hill” where Christians might openly practice their faith without worrying about persecution.[3]
The English government supported the colonization of America as it offered a means of expanding the English empire and boosting national prosperity. The English government perceived the colonies as a means of guaranteeing fresh markets for commerce and procuring precious resources for the empire. Furthermore, the colonies presented a chance for the English to disseminate their customs and dialect to the New World.
However, English colonists faced numerous risks in establishing colonies in America. For example, they faced disease, famine, and conflict with Native American populations, causing many early settlements to fail. Despite these risks, the expansion was successful due to the availability of abundant natural resources, such as timber and fish, which allowed them to develop a capitalist economy based on trade and commerce.[4] Additionally, the colonies established a stable political climate that allowed for economic and social growth.
In conclusion, both Native Americans and European conquerors were affected by European colonization. The Columbian Trade changed Old and New World economies, cultures, and communities by exchanging goods, animals, plants, illnesses, and ideas. They colonized America for economic possibilities, religious freedom, and empire expansion.
Bibliography
Bayly, Christopher. “The British and Indigenous peoples, 1760—1860: power, perception and identity.” In Empire and others: British encounters with indigenous peoples, 1600–1850, pp. 19–41. Routledge, 2020. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003076711-2/british-indigenous-peoples-1760%E2%80%941860-power-perception-identity-christopher-bayly
Ongaro, Linda, Marilia O. Scliar, Rodrigo Flores, Alessandro Raveane, Davide Marnetto, Stefania Sarno, Guido A. Gnecchi-Ruscone et al. “The genomic impact of European colonization of the Americas.” Current Biology 29, no. 23 (2019): 3974–3986. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982219313065
Oswald, W. Wyatt, David R. Foster, Bryan N. Shuman, Elizabeth S. Chilton, Dianna L. Doucette, and Deena L. Duranleau. “Conservation implications of limited Native American impacts in pre-contact New England.” Nature Sustainability 3, no. 3 (2020): 241–246. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0466-0
Paul, Daniel N. We Were Not the Savages, First Nations History: Collision Between European and Native American Civilizations. Fernwood Publishing, 2022. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Xn6KEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT11&dq=Effect+of+European+colonization+on+native+Americans&ots=xjgVayX4r0&sig=edpgPJvazMLfsDYuM6D5ig2JCgQ
[1] Ongaro et al. “The genomic impact of European colonization of the Americas.” Current Biology 29, 2019
[2] Paul, Daniel N. We Were Not the Savages, First Nations History: Collision Between European and Native American Civilizations. Fernwood Publishing, 2022.
[3] Oswald et al. “Conservation implications of limited Native American impacts in pre-contact New England.” Nature Sustainability, no. 3 (2020), 241–246.
[4] Bayly, Christopher. “The British and Indigenous peoples, 1760—1860: power, perception and identity.” In Empire and others: British encounters with indigenous peoples,19–41. Routledge, 2020
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