18th Century American Exploration Essay

1178 Words5 Pages

The worldwide exploration of the world was partaken by numerous European countries including Great Britain, France, Spain, and even less powerful countries such as Italy and Germany during the 17th and 18th centuries. The means of exploration travel from canoes to steam boats have sat in standstill however for many years due to technological limitations. The demand for valuable resources from colonies were high, and thus many countries sought to make colonies on available and fertile land such as Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and Spain’s Central American colonies.

Colonial settlements often outlined areas accessible by large ships. These wooden naval, whaling, and other ships partook in the ports established in these colonies. …show more content…

Apprenticeships for occupations like sailing were important in Europe to give experience and education to those seeking it. It was rather less important in colonies due to the number of people already apt in their trade. The rigorous necessities to maneuver while sailing grew strong and hardened sailors, along with their sometimes frugal diet. Because of sailors and the technologies they had to use, exploration by water proved to be full of difficult, perilous, and fatal …show more content…

They often could not be taken proper care of while providing for the whole ship’s success. Death due to poor medicine for injuries affected many of those on the sea, especially within the military. All of these struggles proves the usefulness of new and advanced technologies that are forthcoming in the world. Though the work these sailors endured may have improved their physical strength, it came with many caveats that are not nearly as bad in the following centuries. It is apparent that the need for money was greater than the safety that countries ensured for their explorers. Though the thought of being famous for finding new land in the world lingered, it was often not worth it if one had to risk their whole crew’s lives to achieve