Who were the colonizers in Europe?

The main European countries active in this form of colonization included Spain, Portugal, France, the Kingdom of England (later Great Britain), the Netherlands, and the Kingdom of Prussia (now mostly Germany), and, beginning in the 18th century, the United States.

How were the Spanish and Portuguese colonies different?

They both tried to convert people to Christianity. They both traded and enslaved natives. They relied on trade and slavery. Different: Spain’s empire had mineral wealth while Portugal relied on agriculture and cattle.

Why was colonialism so brutal?

Specifically, small groups of people were still trying to rule over large groups who mostly didn’t want to be ruled. That’s why colonialism often remained quite brutal even after it was established. Some actions that would had been forbidden back home were allowed for officials in the colonies.

Why did the Portuguese colonizers lose control over India?

Among the many reasons for the decline of Portuguese power in India include Portugal being too small a country to maintain the huge burden of a trading colony located in a far off land, their image as notorious sea pirates created enmity in the minds of the native rulers and last but not the least Portuguese rigid …

Where did the French colonize?

New France, French Nouvelle-France, (1534–1763), the French colonies of continental North America, initially embracing the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Newfoundland, and Acadia (Nova Scotia) but gradually expanding to include much of the Great Lakes region and parts of the trans-Appalachian West.

How many places did Britain colonize?

Of the almost 200 current member states (and one observer state) of the United Nations, the British have, at some point in history, invaded and established a military presence in 171 of them.

How did colonialism benefit the colonizers?

Benefits and harm Colonial governments invested in infrastructure and trade and disseminated medical and technological knowledge. In some cases, they encouraged literacy, the adoption of Western human rights standards, and sowed the seeds for democratic institutions and systems of government.

Why did the British Empire fall?

The First and Second World Wars left Britain weakened and less interested in its empire. Also many parts of the empire contributed troops and resources to the war effort and took an increasingly independent view. This led to a steady decline of the empire after 1945.