Examples of early European colonies

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌍 Early Colonial Powers: Portugal, Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands were key players.
• 🗺️ Motivations: Gold, glory, and God (spread of Christianity) were major drivers.
• 🧭 Key Regions: The Americas, Africa, and Asia saw significant European colonial activity.
• 🗓️ Timeline: The 15th-17th centuries marked a period of intense exploration and colonization.
• 🤝 Impact: Colonization led to trade, cultural exchange, and also exploitation and conflict.
• 💰 Economic Systems: Mercantilism, which emphasized accumulating wealth through trade surpluses, was a dominant economic policy.
• 📜 Treaties: Treaties like the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

📝 Practice Quiz

1. Which European power first established a significant colonial presence in Brazil?
   1. A. Spain
   2. B. Portugal
   3. C. England
   4. D. France
2. What was a primary motivation for European colonization in the Americas?
   1. A. Establishing peaceful trade relations with indigenous peoples
   2. B. Seeking religious freedom
   3. C. Extracting resources and accumulating wealth
   4. D. Promoting democratic ideals
3. Which treaty divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal?
   1. A. Treaty of Westphalia
   2. B. Treaty of Tordesillas
   3. C. Treaty of Versailles
   4. D. Treaty of Paris
4. Which of the following was NOT a major colonial power in the early modern period?
   1. A. Germany
   2. B. Spain
   3. C. England
   4. D. France
5. The economic policy of mercantilism, practiced by many European colonial powers, emphasized:
   1. A. Free trade
   2. B. Accumulating wealth through trade surpluses
   3. C. Promoting domestic industries through subsidies
   4. D. Establishing a common currency
6. Which region was heavily colonized by the Dutch in the 17th century?
   1. A. North America (New Netherland)
   2. B. South America (Brazil)
   3. C. Africa (Cape Colony)
   4. D. Asia (India)
7. What was a significant consequence of European colonization on indigenous populations?
   1. A. Increased cultural exchange and mutual understanding
   2. B. Preservation of traditional ways of life
   3. C. Loss of land, disease, and forced labor
   4. D. Enhanced political autonomy and self-governance