European Colonial Expansion

Definition

European colonial expansion refers to the period between 1450 and 1750 when European powers, such as Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, and the Netherlands, established colonies in various parts of the world for economic, political, and social reasons. These colonies were used to exploit resources and establish dominance over indigenous populations.

Related terms

Mercantilism: Mercantilism was an economic system during this time that focused on accumulating wealth through trade by exporting more than importing goods.

Plantations: Plantations were large agricultural estates where cash crops like sugar or tobacco were grown using enslaved laborers brought from Africa.

Triangular Trade: Triangular trade refers to the transatlantic trading network between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It involved exchanging goods (such as slaves) between these regions.