"Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492..."-for Spain! How did Britian end up claiming America?

Answer 1

The Pope divided the world between Spain and Portugal. And this division was further refined by the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 and the reaty of Zaragoza in 1529. In 1529, Henry VIII called the Reformation Parliament and severed ties with the Pope. With the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and the resolution of the Anglo-Spanish War in 1604, the path was open for British colonization: Jamestown (1607) was the first successful British colony in the Americas.

Answer 2

the Americas actually are two entire continents, and the USA is only one country out of 24 different countries in America. Several European countries were involved in the colonization of the New World. Originally Britain had the 13 New England colonies, while much of the rest of North and South America were claimed by the Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Dutch, and included quite a number of Italian, German, and Swedish immigrants also.
After the war for independence, those original 13 colonies became the USA, and they expanded quite a bit through the Louisiana purchase, through aggressive genocidal wars against the indians, and through an expansionist war against Mexico.
When most people refer to the USA as America, it's because they don't really understand very much about geography and a lot of US citizens don't think about the fact that there are any other countries in the world, let alone in their own neighborhood. This makes it convenient for the US government to conduct military operations against the people of these neighboring countries without attracting any criticism from its own citizens, or allowing its citizens to hear the criticism which is being made from outside of the country.

Answer 3

One thing the previous answers ignore is the Spanish lust for gold. As has been said, Columbus landed int he West Indies. From there the Spanish Conquistadores travelled to what is now Mexico and Central America. All the time they heard, or thought they heard, stories of fabulous civilisations which were rich in gold and other treasures. Those lay to the south, so the Spaniards went that way. They weren't interested in the cod and furs of New England so that was left for English, Dutch and French to explore.

Answer 4

The early North American colonies were French (Canada and as far south as the Great Lakes area, and New Orleans), Dutch (New York), and Spanish (Florida, California, Mexico - which included Texas, NM, and AZ) as well as British. However, while all of this was happening, the power of the British was increasing while the power of the other European countries was decreasing. The British won a few wars, both in the Europe and the New World, cut some deals, and gained control of the French and Dutch colonies.

Answer 5

Columbus actually landed in the Carribean.

The Brits, the French, and Dutch colonized the mainland of the US. Spanish colonized Florida.

Not that Florida isn't mainland, it's just all the Spainish got until the move out West.

Answer 6

Columbus actually claimed Hispanola, today known as Cuba, for Spain, not the American Continent we know today. Back in the day, all the islands surrounding the continent, including the continent itself were collectively refered to as "the Americas". That rhyme is simply a way for school kids to remember the "important" dates in history, and one very good reason to not beleive everything you're told and do your own research.

Answer 7

Well basically the Spanish went to Mexico and south, while the British and French went north. Portugal got Brazil due to an agreement by a pope.

Answer 8

It is not only the British who claimed (part of) what is now known as the USA. Louisiana was owned by the French (hence the Louisiana purchase). Alaska was owned by the Russians. New York was originally called New Amsterdam and was owned by the Dutch. Much of the US was "owned" by the native tribes who were systematically destroyed.

Answer 9

Columbus landed in the west indies . He tried to colonize it but struggled for years before a hurricane finally finished him. Also, his primary goal was to bring gold back to Spain. which he did but not enough to finance further expeditions, finally the government gave up on him.

Answer 10

Columbus didn't actually land in America. He landed more in the Bahamas region. After he succeeded, Britain came over to Ameriica and colonized it.