America was discovered by Europeans, after this event, several countries from the old continent headed for the new land. The American continent was mainly colonized by the Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Dutch. However, the colonization process took place differently between countries on the continent.
The countries considered to be Latin had a colonization of exploitation, that is, they only provided wealth from the nature (wood, precious stones, among others) and cultivated tropical products (sugar cane, coffee, rubber, among others). others). As a result of this intense exploitation, Latin countries inherited from this period a great socioeconomic backwardness that reflects today.
On the other hand, the countries that are part of Anglo-Saxon America had a settlement colonization. This means that the metropolis' interest was to populate and develop the place. In this type of colonization, the intention was not linked to the exploitation of wealth in order to send it to the metropolis, but rather to supply the inhabitants themselves. In short, the wealth produced remained in the country. This characteristic was of fundamental importance for countries like the United States and Canada to become great nations, being the first the greatest world power.
Given the considerations presented, it is clear that the determining factor for the development or underdevelopment of the American countries is linked to historical facts. The form of occupation is rooted in the current conditions of countries on the continent.
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By Eduardo de Freitas
Graduated in Geography
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
FREITAS, Eduardo de. "Types of Colonization of America"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/tipos-colonizacao-america.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
