Northern European Power Shift Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 859 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 3

Northern European Power Shift

It seems to be a universal human trait that we are always seeking to go beyond perceived boundaries and explore the unknown. Sometimes, this is done for the sake of adventure and nothing more. Most times, however, this is done in the pursuit of wealth, whether it be in the form of land, gold, spices, slaves, or some other highly desirable commodity for a given culture in a given time.

In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the dominant explorers of the time hailed from Portugal and Spain, and these countries were made quite wealthy as a result. Their position, however, as significant empires would not last forever, and soon, the countries of Northern Europe -- in particular, the Netherlands, France, and England -- set out to take their share of the riches, too. These countries improved on the Spanish and Portuguese methods of exploration, ship building, and trade. The English had faster, more agile ships that were more maneuverable then those of Portugal and Spain. For example, according to one scholar (Goldman),

The defeat of the Spanish Armada marked the turning point between the era of Spanish world domination and the rise of Britain to the position of international supremacy. Thus this battle began the decline of Spain and the ascent of Britain -- a sea change event.

Stuck Writing Your "Northern European Power Shift" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Northern European Power Shift Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Incidents such as these, coupled with an increase in power and wealth, helped the balance of power to shift away from Portugal and Spain to Northern Europe.

Essentially, the Northern Europeans' agenda when it came to exploration was no different from that of Portugal and Spain. The New World was a land rumored to be awash in cities of gold, huge tracts of fertile land, and the freedom to do as one wished, among other things, and the countries of Northern Europe wanted a part of this New World for their own empires. However, not everyone who went to the New World went in search of adventure, wealth, or fame. It was freedom, in particular, that drove a small band of settlers from England to come to the New World, not for riches or to help expand their country's empire and wealth, but to worship without persecution. These settlers founded what is known as the Jamestown Colony.

So how did Portugal and Spain manage to lose their empires? Part of the answer lies in the competition itself. The Dutch and the English began to attack the Portuguese in the east and the Spanish in the west. As a result, the Portuguese holdings began to diminish….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Northern European Power Shift" (2003, October 30) Retrieved May 21, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/northern-european-power-shift-153687

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Northern European Power Shift" 30 October 2003. Web.21 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/northern-european-power-shift-153687>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Northern European Power Shift", 30 October 2003, Accessed.21 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/northern-european-power-shift-153687
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example