Chapter 4 analyzes the trends of European competition in North America. There was momentum throughout the 1600s to claim, settle, and defend land. Near the end of the century, each competing group had established a pattern of behavior that would dictate the manner in which they deal with forces within and outside of their sphere of influence. For instance, the English established mercantilism as their preferred economic system. In essence, this system was designed to exploit the resources of its colonies. This would eventually become one of the many catalyst of the American Revolution.
Do you see a common pattern amongst the competing empires? Or do you think there are more differences than commonalities?
