Long before the 1940s, Europeans had already expanded into Africa and established trade in slaves. Therefore trade was one of the motives they were expanding into America. Slaves who were acquired from Africa were also traded in America. They imported African slaves to work in their plantations in Native American lands. With the arrival of Columbus in western and southern parts of America, there was the exploration of Gold in these parts of the country. Therefore we can point out clearly that the Spanish had an intention of exploring gold resources in western and southern America. Spaniards also arrived in North America as missionaries with the intention o0f spreading Christianity. This, to the establishment of churches and Monasteries, and they managed to convert the natives into Christianity. The missionaries, both French and British, exerted great influence in the hinterland. The French came to North America so as to trade with the natives. They were also interested in the natural resources that the continent was bestowed with. The French had people like Champlain. LaSalle contributed significantly to their explorations, like when they settled at the two major rivers. The English were looking for colonies that could trade with their mother countries. They, therefore, wanted to establish these colonies in parts of America. The French expanded in parts of Mexico, where they establish forts for their trading activities. The French and the English had a rivalry in the course of their expansion in America. The French expansion to America started earlier, around 1504. The French visited the coasts and harvested things like cod. There were also some aspects of culture that were found in the Native Americans, such as costumes and canoes, which were attractive to the foreigners; hence their demand made them expand in America.
The English were interested in forming colonies with rich agricultural lands. They, therefore, established seaboard colonies.
The British expanded to America due to some political factors. These include the desire to show off their might and the rise of nationalism. The people who conquered states became nationalists afterward. In America, the colonies that were established by the English, French, and Spaniards reflected different views. The Spanish colonies reflected an expansion in trade in minerals. For instance, gold and silver were adequately explored in the colonies. Trade-in these colonies in the minerals increased. In the British colonies, agriculture was a predominant economic activity led by the English settlers. There was also a notable change in culture and religion whereby Christianity became the religion, and there were so many missionary activities in their colonies. Missionary structures such as churches and monasteries were a reflection of the presence of the British in the colonies.
In the French colonies, exploration features became evident. For instance, when they settled near the river, they constructed structures, for instance, forts. Some aspects of the native culture were reflected in the French, and this clearly depicted what they had come for in North America. Those cultural aspects were also transmitted to their mother countries as a result of the expansion. The form of government in the colonies was also an indication of the motive of the British in America as it led to the rise of Aristocratic rulers in the colonies. This showed that they had come to exercise their glory and power over the Americans.
Reference
America’s history Sixth Edition Volume One, 1877.