A Cause of English Colonization of the Americas
The colonization of the Americas by English settlers is a complex story. The English settlers had various motivations and goals, leading to a range of results. This essay will focus on one of the primary reasons why the English colonized the Americas and two of the most significant effects. Specifically, the essay will discuss how the English colonists wanted to make economic gains and how this affected both the environment and the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
The English came to the Americas because they saw the opportunity to make money and improve their lives. They wanted to use the land and resources to create wealth and prosperity. Even the British government saw the economic benefits of colonizing the Americas, as it would give them more resources and power (Shoemaker, 2019). This desire for wealth and resources was a significant reason the English colonized the Americas.
Effects of English Colonization of the Americas
The arrival of the English in the Americas significantly affected the environment. To create farmland, the settlers cut down large areas of trees, which harmed wildlife habitats. Also, the introduction of new plants and animals disturbed the ecosystems of the indigenous species and caused many of them to be displaced (Shoemaker, 2019). This environmental harm was one of the most important results of the English colonization of the Americas.
The presence of the English had a notable impact on the Indigenous communities already residing in the area. The settlers treated them badly and often violently, treating them as inferior. Additionally, the settlers brought diseases that the Indigenous people had no resistance to, leading to widespread illness and death (Shoemaker, 2019). This had a terrible impact on the Indigenous peoples and is one of the saddest outcomes of colonization.
The English came to the Americas to make money, which significantly affected the land and the Native people. They were motivated by the idea of becoming wealthy, and this led them to hurt the environment by using up resources. The Indigenous people were mistreated and harmed by diseases. Here are some of the crucial facts to keep in mind regarding the English settlement of the Americas.
Reference
Shoemaker, N. (2019). Settler Colonialism: Universal Theory or English Heritage? The William and Mary Quarterly, 76(3), 369-374.