During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries many different factors peaked interest in colonization and exploration for Europeans. As a continent, Europe was changing rapidly. Nationally Spain, France, and England each had their own reasons for growth. All of Europe dealt with the excitement and uncertainty of new places.

Europe began evolving as early as 1095 with the beginning of the Crusades. These Europeans began to trade with the Orient, swapping knowledge, food, and crafts. This newfound wealth was reinvested in what is known as the Renaissance. All subjects were being studied again, including geography. Educated people know realized that the earth was round, and even estimated its circumference. New navigational and ship building techniques were developed.

The evolution continued as nation-states were formed. Unity was necessary to exploration and westward expansion. The forming of joint-stock companies made financing easier also, as some royalty were reluctant to come up with funds for voyages. Finally, freedom from religious persecution and the dreams of prosperity eased people into the idea of migration.

The idea of national unity was sparked when Isabella of Castile was wed to Ferdinand of Aragon. These two knew of Portugal’s success with Prince Henry’s navigational school. So when young Columbus asked for financing, they considered, then agreed to his terms. He discovered San Salvador, Cuba, and Hispaniola. Vespucci, de Balboa, Ponce de Leon, Cortes, and many others followed, claiming places such as Florida, Tenochtitlan, New Mexico, and Texas for Spain. New Spain, as it was called, did not attract many migrators very quickly. The colonization of New Spain was a learning experience in how to deal with the natives. They were abused, exploited, and eventually killed by European diseases. As an alternative to native laborers, the Spanish began importing African slave labor into New Spain. While church officials disagreed, Spain’s crown felt that slaves were a necessity. This guaranteed a flow of economic profit for the monarchs. This success caused jealously and tension around Europe.

England certainly had more than a few reasons to begin exploration. The success of Spain was most evident. Rapid population growth, lack of employment opportunities, and price inflation all caused the English to suffer. Reformation gained a following as people began to cut ties with Roman Catholicism. Religious oppression caused groups like the Pilgrims and the Puritans to desire relocating to somewhere they could worship as they wanted. Expansionists such as Richard Hakluyt believed colonization would provide jobs, it would prove profitable for England, and be a platform to spread the gospel. While Queen Elizabeth agreed, she was not willing to finance these ventures. When joint-stock trading companies emerged, there was little reason left to discourage westward expansion for England.

France approached colonization a little differently than Spain or England. They established outposts trading furs. This resulted in a huge Canadian empire. The French also went in respecting the natives and not forcing their customs on them. While the French never seemed to financially gain like England and Spain, they gained allies and friends in the Indians, which proved beneficial later.

Exploration of new places began with curiosity and was fueled by greed, a desire for religious freedom, and a need for abundant land. Though the loss of life was great, the knowledge of new geography and new crops proved invaluable. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the nations of Europe grew in size, in knowledge, and financially because of the exploration and colonization of America.

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