Introduction
Early exploration was mainly fueled by the fact that settlers had specific reasons for exploring their target regions. This was also the period of transitional history that helped in shaping past lives and events (Benjamin, Hall & Rutherford 2). This research paper shall examine the Vikings and early exploration. In this case, the history of the Viking s and the Spanish explorers shall be assessed. In addition, the paper shall also endeavor to compare and contrast the two groups of early explorers. Further, the events that took place in England during this period will be explored, along with the political, economic, and social events that affected colonization. The impact of these events on the early settlers in North America will be examined. Moreover, the French and English exploration endeavors will be examined, as they attempted to settle in America and the Caribbean during the sixteenth century.
History of Vikings and the Spanish
The Vikings were pirates from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden who raided most parts of Europe. They explored Europe at the beginning of the 18th century and settled mainly in Iceland, France, Ireland, and Central Russia. Originally, the Vikings were from the Scandinavian region, and their common dialect was the Norse language. These Norsemen were sailors, farmers, and traders. However, they were also violent as they attacked and robbed people (Magnusson $ Hermann 173). Vikings’ attacks were dangerous as they would kill victims and rob them of any treasures that they had in their possession. The Vikings believed in gods and goddesses and were strict followers of the Norse religion. They managed to accomplish their exploration escapades half a millennium ahead of the other European explorers. To a great extent, the success of the Vikings can be attributed to the sophisticated ships they had at their disposal, in addition to the survival techniques they had adopted. Early exploration was never safe due to bad weather, starvation, and the long distances involved. Accordingly, explorers were required to have well-developed ships. The Europeans might have also been intrigued by what they heard about the Norsemen (Magnusson and Hermann 175). For these reasons, it became difficult for other explorers to sail as they were not fully equipped. The Viking’s exploration also contributed to the exploration of other Europeans as they were involved in activities like trade which spread widely. There was an advent of new ships which promoted safe and easier sailing for other sailors. Technologically, the Vikings had superior ships, and this enhanced their sea movement to vast distances (Middleton.p.14). They were also competent sailors who used hit-and-run tactics to raid their victims. Due to these reasons, the Vikings were able to sail in the cold regardless of the treacherous ocean that was a threat to other Europeans. Eventually, the Viking age came to an end due to the establishment of royal authority and Christianity. As a result, the Vikings were unable to consolidate their achievements. They were also unable to establish an enduring empire that would have stretched from the Scandinavian fjords across the northern Atlantic latitudes. Later Spain settled and colonized America as they left their families in their home country. The Spanish settlement was spearheaded by the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. They mainly settled in Mexico they had to move to other parts later on. Their settlement enabled other individual Spanish settlers to further explore the region. One such example is Father Junipero Serra who led the Spanish settlers to California. Other priests also joined Father Serra and helped build a church in San Diego. In San Diego, the Indians were taught about Christianity by these priests. This trend continued as more people were converted to Christianity. Apart from their spreading of Christianity, the Spanish settlers continued to explore America in search of wealth and power. Spain became successful mainly because of the numerous expeditions that they conducted (Magnusson and Hermann 184).
Comparison and contrast
The Spanish and Vikings were similar in the sense that they were both settlers who managed to explore the American region. Both the Spanish and Vikings traveled to America via sea, sailing through long distances. Unlike the Vikings, Spanish explorers were mainly Christians and they spread the gospel along the way. The Vikings were involved in trading activities, raiding, and settlers. Many people became Christian followers as the gospel was spread to even the remotest areas. At the beginning of their exploration, the Spanish settled in Mexico and later on moved to other areas. On the other hand, the Vikings settled in the southwest of Greenland, although they had to leave due to the cold climate. While the Vikings were settlers from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, the Spanish settlers were from Spain, England, The Netherlands, and France. Viking settlement was much earlier than Spanish settlement because they arrived in America at the end of the 8th century. The Spanish arrived half a millennium later when Vikings had already settled. The Spanish settlement was successful compared to Vikings because they were able to convert Americans into Christianity. The Vikings failed in their trading activities and also did not succeed because they raided people. In their settlement, the Vikings were worshipers of many gods while the Spanish worshiped only one God. Spanish homes were made of ironwork which was very spacious and displayed renaissance architecture. Spanish homes were furnished with chairs, tables, cupboards, and benches which were mainly made from leather. The Spanish homes were one level or split level which sprawled out with thick adobe walls. Some of their homes were built of palm-thatched homes which became popular in Mexico. Vikings on the other hand lived in longhouses together with their animals although in different rooms. Unlike Spanish homes, the Viking houses were wet and full of smoke. This resulted in such health problems as chest complications. The Vikings were talented in metalwork which they used in building their homes. Unlike the Spanish settlers, the Vikings did not have priests and did not have churches in places where they lived. The Spanish built churches in the area where they settled as they would hold Christian meetings together (Malden 5).
Economic and social events and conditions
Events in England in the first half of the seventeenth century exerted a profound influence on all aspects of the early colonization of North America. There were political, economic, and social events and conditions during those fifty years that affected colonization (Middleton 14). In England, there were Puritans who formed self-governing communities of religious groups of farmers and their families. Politically, some top politicians donated parcels of land to settlers. White settlers were given the priority of having bigger land that could support their families. The white settlers also made important decisions during town meetings. Most of England’s settlers were small-scale farmers and lived in wooden houses because there was plenty of wood. In the middle of the 18th century, agricultural life was affected by religion as more people concentrated in the church than on the farms. There farming became a problem because there was not enough land to plow. There were however some farmers who bought land from speculators in New Hampshire. They used the lands to plant nutritious grass which provided them with high production. In 1750, there were merchants, artisans, and shopkeepers who provided services to the growing population. The difference in ethnicity was realized as women were not allowed to work with men on the farms. All these events in England promoted colonization as there were explores who found the land productive. With the events in England, there was more population which led to the settlement of North America (Middleton 172).
During the sixteenth century, there were numerous French and English explorations and attempts at settlement in North America and the Caribbean. The French first settled in North America as explorers who were searching for wealth and were led by the King of France. Their major settlement was on the island of Hispaniola where they established the colony of Saint Dominguez. On the other hand, English colonization started in the year 1607 to around 1681. During that time, there were several attempts to establish colonies but eventually, this failed due to scarcity of food and harsh winter climate. Later, the Englishmen went to the Caribbean which was attractive, and took some small Islands. This settlement did not last for long as there was a transition to slavery in the Caribbean which made Englishmen vacate. Unfortunately, the Englishmen did not achieve much in the Caribbean (Middleton 84).
Conclusion
Early exploration led to the colonization of many nations which were centers of interest. It was a period in which some explorers succeeded in their ambitions while there were defeated by other nations.
Works Cited
Benjamin, Thomas, Hall Timothy, and Rutherford, David. The Atlantic World in the Age of Empire Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Print.
Magnusson, Magnus and Hermann ,Palsson. The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery Of America. Trans. And Ed. By Magnus Magnusson and Hermann Palsson NY: Viking, 1965. Web.
Middleton, Richard. Colonial America history. A History, 1565-1776. 3rd Edition.
Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2002. Web.