United States Colonization

Definition

This refers to the period from the late 15th century when Europeans arrived in the Americas and established colonies, through to the early 20th century when these colonies gained independence.

Analogy

Think of this like a game of Monopoly. The players (European powers) are all trying to buy up properties (land) and build houses and hotels (settlements). The United States was one of those properties that started off as a small investment but eventually became very valuable.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: A widely held cultural belief in the 19th-century United States that American settlers were destined to expand across North America.

American Revolution: A war fought from 1775-1783 and won by the Thirteen Colonies for independence from British Empire.

Monroe Doctrine: A principle of US policy, originated by President James Monroe in 1823, that any intervention by external powers in politics of Americas is potentially hostile act against US.