Final answer:
European colonization of the New World by Spain, France, the Netherlands, and England varied in purpose—from resource extraction to religious freedom—and in interaction with native peoples, from exploitation to cooperation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colonization of the New World by European powers such as the Spanish, French, Dutch, and English was driven by a variety of motivations and resulted in distinct colonial practices.
The Spanish, arriving with the goals of "God, Gold, and Glory," operated under the encomienda system, which exploited both the land and its indigenous peoples for material wealth, particularly in precious metals like silver and gold. They established a pattern that would be followed by Mestizo landowners and later, international corporations, none of whom shared the profits equitably with the local populace.
In contrast, the French were more focused on trade, especially in furs, which led them to develop cooperative relationships with the Native Americans, viewing them as economic allies. The Dutch, with a strong emphasis on mercantile interests, maintained a presence both in the Caribbean for trade and engaged in capturing Portuguese-controlled areas in Brazil. Both the French and Dutch viewed economic gains and the weakening of the Iberian powers as their primary goals.
The English, much like the Spanish, were initially motivated by wealth, exploring the Chesapeake Bay with a commercial outlook. However, the New England colonies developed differently, with some seeking religious freedom and others, like the Puritans, looking to build communities that combined profit with promoting a religious ideology. All these European powers inevitably shaped the land and the fate of the Native American populations, through various degrees of cooperation, conflict, exploitation, and displacement.