European colonization of North America

Definition

The process by which European nations established and maintained settlements in North America, leading to the eventual establishment of colonies.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory from coast to coast.

New World: Refers to the Americas, which were considered "new" because they were unknown to Europeans before Columbus' voyage.

Roanoke Colony: An early English settlement in present-day North Carolina that mysteriously disappeared, leaving only the word "Croatoan" carved on a tree.