Manifest destiny, the name given by John L. O’Sullivan to an aggressive territorial expansion, is responsible for the face of America today. O’Sullivan coined the movement, “Manifest Destiny” in 1845. The ideology originated long before the philosophy was named. Traces of the movement can be seen in Columbus’ exploration, and even in the developmental Jamestown colonies. Throughout America’s history, examples of the “Manifest Destiny” are apparent as ("Manifest destiny - the philosophy that created a nation") Americans gradually expanded settlements westward to increase their boundaries, however, during the 1830s and 1840s, Americans pushed farther across the continent.
GKE1 Task 3 Part A: Colonization of North America The purpose for colonizing North America was for expansion of territory, trade, and assimilation. The rise of colonialism in North America began after Spain sent Columbus to Asia but discovered the Americas in 1492. Spain created and maintained the first colonies for nearly 400 years followed by France then England. Spain had absolute monarchy over its colonies with the King taking complete control. France used their colonization for trade and England used the charter system to set up their colonies (Carney, 2013).
Its purpose was to manage the colonies and plantations around America and other locations (Reich, 2011, p. 104). Furthermore once this was established colonies became more decentralized and began to govern themselves, slowly becoming Americanized, setting the stage for revolution. Many of the factors that set the stage for revolution took years of developing, the time it took and generations of work that eventually manifested in the American Revolution (Reich, 2011, p. 264), (Brinkley, 2010, p. 100). The factors that lead down the road to revolution and a national identity are religion, separate unregulated freedom to worship (Reich, 2011, p. 265). Also, the proclamation of 1763, that regulated where colonist could not migrate and expand past the Appalachian mountains within the land where they could etch out a living (Reich, 2011, p. 265).
In 1419, Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal began the period of time known as the “Age of Exploration”. Europe’s leading superpowers, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, and England, all competed for colonization in unknown territories. Samuel de Champlain colonized along the St. Lawrence River in 1608, Henry Hudson of Holland established Albany in 1609, and Spain established colonies in Mexico and Mesoamerica. In 1607, England established its first colony in North America around the Chesapeake Bay, and nearly a decade later established a second colony in present-day New England. Both New England and the Chesapeake were founded by the British around the same time; however, both colonies developed a different economy, government, and many other ways of life.
Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh : 1584 Everybody remembers Jamestown, Capt. John Smith, Pocahontas and all the rest. But do you remember Roanoke? In 1585, after a small scouting expedition had returned from North America with two Native Americans and many astonishing stories, Sir Walter Raleigh tried to establish a colony called Roanoke in the land which the British named "Virginia", in honor of Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. The site was actually an island on North America's eastern seaboard protected by the outer banks of what is now North Carolina's coast.
The last reason was that an increase in population required more land to be settled. O’Sullivan explained the westward movement in his article The Great Nation of Futurity as, “The expansive future is our arena, and for our history. We are entering on its untrodden space, with hearts unsullied by the past.” (“The Great Nation…”). Although O’Sullivan did not coin the phrase until the 1900’s, the idea of exploring America and discovering all of which the country had to offer was already hundreds of years in the making. Immigrants from Europe, especially, sought out America for religious freedom, new land, and new beginnings.
They fought over land with Indians for many years. The London Company, creation of the colony, and Indian wars all played a major role in the development of Jamestown. The London Company was founded for the exploration of Jamestown and to fund anything that had to do with it. The founders of the London Company believed that, in the Americas, existed precious metals (London Company). The main founder of the London Company was King James I from England who chartered the London Company to form a colony in North America.
The Englishmen began to establish permanent settlements in North America by the beginning of the 17th century. Because at that time capitalism in English had undergone a high development and the colonial expansion was the first thing to do. Unfortunately America was its target. The first English permanent settlement was found at Jamestown in 1607 in Virginia. This was organized by the London Company and the Polymouth Company with a charter from the English king James the first.
The colonies had grown vastly in economic strength and cultural attainment, and virtually all had long years of self-government behind them. Their combined population now exceeded 1,500,000-a six-fold increase since 1700. The implications of the physical growth of the colonies were far greater than mere numerical increase would indicate. The 18th century brought a steady expansion from the influx of immigrants from Europe, and since the best land near the seacoast had already been occupied, new settlers had to push inland beyond the fall line of the rivers. Traders explored the back country, brought back tales of rich valleys, and induced farmers to take their families into the wilderness.
The Chesapeake and New England Colonies: A Comparison During the late 16th century and into the 17th century, European nations rapidly colonized the newly discovered Americas. England in particular sent out numerous groups to the eastern coast of North America to two regions. These two regions were known as the Chesapeake and the New England areas. Later, in the late 1700's, these two areas would bond to become one nation. Yet from the very beginnings, both had very separate and unique identities.