Question

The primary empire-building nations in Europe from 1500 to 1800 were Spain, Portugal, Holland. France, and England. All were active in the Americas. What were the different methods of colonizing? Why did England end up dominating in North America? As part of the answer, briefly discuss mercantilism.

Answer 1

Majorly European countries tried to colonise America using Settler Colonialism and Exploitation Colonialism. In Settler Colonialism, American towns and Citizens were established with primary European natives. Exploitative Colonialism merely exploited and took undue advantage of unskilled labor and poor rural areas with least economic activity. Direct Colonialism was most observed by Portugal. Spain and germany however failed to establish central administration and hence focussed on african markets.

England briefly ended up its mercantile and trade in north American regions because of Industrial Revolution which migrated from UK to North America. Since North American markets comprised of maximum urban areas and skilled labor and connectivity of roads and shipping ports major activities concentrated in these regions.