British colonization of the Americas was a major part of world history and is an interesting topic to explore It began in the late 15th century and can be divided into two basic types of colonization - Spanish and British. The Spanish colonization is widely known for the harsh treatment of native peoples by the conquistadors, often led by Francisco Pizarro, who were bent on conquering, exploiting and attempting to convert them to Christianity. The British colonization, however, led to a different set of outcomes, often mixed in its effects.
At its most basic, British colonization of the Americas involved the settlement of the English in various locations around the continent, often as a means to gain access to territories and resources. In addition to settlement, many parts of the American colonies were closely linked to other parts of the English Empire, most notably the British West Indies and India. British merchants, traders and officials had a significant presence in many parts of the colonies, while the Royal Navy had a massive presence in the larger Caribbean islands.
The best examples of British colonization in the Americas include the colonization of the Eastern seaboard of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Barbados.
1. The colonization of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States: The English were the first Europeans to colonize the eastern seaboard of what is now the United States. They set up thirteen colonies along the east coast, extending from Maine to Georgia. The colonies were largely self-governing and were largely economically successful.
2. The colonization of Canada: The French were the first to colonize the land that is now Canada. However, the British soon began to compete for control of the region. In 1763, the French lost all of Canada in the Treaty of Paris. Following this, the British began to colonize the area and it eventually became part of the British Empire in 1867.
3. The colonization of Mexico: The Spanish had long been the dominant power in Mexico, but the British began to gain a foothold by trading and helping the Mexicans fight back against their Spanish rulers. In 1821, Mexico declared independence from Spain and, following this, became a British protectorate and eventually joined the British Empire.
4. The colonization of Barbados: The British began colonizing Barbados in 1627 and the island remained a British colony until it was granted independence in 1966. The island was successfully used as a base for the triangle trade between Europe, the Americas, and Africa and as a center for sugar production and trading.
5. The colonization of Central and South America: The British did not colonize countries such as Colombia and Peru, but they did have significant influence in the region. The British supplied arms, money, and other resources to these countries to help them defend themselves from Spanish and Portuguese control. This influence eventually helped lead to the eventual independence of these countries from Spain and Portugal.