Colonization of the Americas

The colonization of the Americas was a historical process starting in the late 15th century when European nations, primarily Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands, explored and claimed land across North and South America. They aimed to expand their empires, access resources, and spread Christianity, often at the expense of Indigenous peoples. This led to the establishment of colonies, cultural shifts, and significant impacts on native societies, including displacement, disease, and cultural change. The era shaped the continents’ demographics, economies, and geopolitical landscapes, with lasting influences still evident today.