The process by which European nations established settlements and exerted control over the land, resources, and indigenous peoples of North America during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Related terms
Imperialism: The policy or practice of extending a nation's power and influence through colonization or military force.
Mercantilism: An economic system prevalent during the colonial era that promoted national wealth through trade restrictions and the accumulation of gold and silver.
Triangular Trade: A system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas that involved the exchange of goods (including enslaved Africans) across the Atlantic Ocean.