In the Middle Ages, the definition of wealth was based on the amount of productive land. According to this definition, France was the wealthiest and therefore the most powerful of the European nations. During the sixteenth century the definition of wealth began to change. As the ability to conduct profitable foreign trade increased, so did the amount of cash. Thus, the new definition of wealth came to mean the gain of cash or specie. Specie included gold, silver, or bullion. The wealthiest nation became the one with the most cash, and therefore, the most powerful nation. As the redefining of wealth took hold, there was an increased desire and ability to conduct foreign trade on a larger scale as cash became the new medium of exchange in contrast to bartering. Mercantilism began to take hold of the countries of Europe. Mercantilism was characterized by the governmental regulation of industries, trade, and commerce. This was especially true with foreign trade, and was determined more by national aims rather than individual or local interests. This new quest for trade began the Age of Expansion in the early fourteen hundreds. This era ushered in a search for new sources of revenue

The changing definition of mercantilism, stemming from increased trade, wrought many new things from the early 1400's to the late 1700's. Trade increased, an economic revolution took place, countries began to expand to new lands, and people began to call these new lands home. The thirteen original British colonies had started as individual, independent colonies who each worked for the economic good of Great Britain - but they ended up a unified nation, under God, with liberty, justice, and freedom for all.

In 1497, the British sent an explorer named John Cabot on a voyage to North America. King Henry VII granted John Cabot a royal Charter. This charter, issued by the government, authorized Cabot to conduct a voyage in search of a Northwest Passage to the West Indies. The charter was only permission - not financial support. The Merchants of Bristol supplied the monetary support. Although Cabot did not find anything, his voyage served as a model for later English settlement of the New World. The North American colonies did not begin as royal colonies - they became royal colonies. The colonies began as individual economic ventures supported by joint-stock companies and given royal charters by the government. Cabot was the first man sent by Britain on a voyage to the New World. He was also the last for a long time.

The Age of Expansion brought many changes to medieval Europe. During this period, the countries of Europe began to look beyond their borders. In Europe, there was nowhere to grow. This being the case, the only place to turn was west. Portugal came into existence in the early 1400's. It is a small country bordered on one side by the sea, and by Spain on the other. Out of necessity the Portuguese became the masters of the sea. They began to acquire a great knowledge of the sea and advanced in navigation, sailing, and map-making. They also founded an academy of navigation in Lisbon. In the early 1400's, the Portuguese began exploratory voyages. The Portuguese wanted to establish themselves in large-scale international trade. The four things most desired by the people of Europe were spices, sugar, precious metals, and silk. These goods were found primarily in the West Indies. In 1497, a Portuguese explorer named Vasco da Gama became the first European to sail around the Cape of Africa, allowing the Portuguese to establish colonies in East Africa and open new trade routes. By 1513, the Portuguese had established trade with much of the West Indies as far as the Spice Islands.

s, and focus turned toward the colonization of the New World. The Portuguese, Spanish, and English directed many efforts of colonization and development toward this new land in an attempt to establish themselves as the economic leaders of the world. As mercantilism began to change, so did the power flux of the European countries. Thus began the shaping of North America as we know it.

In 1521, Hernando Cortez, another Spanish explorer, conquered the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). He later conquered the rest of Mexico, including the Mayan people. The Spanish also colonized Florida and claimed all the land west of the Mississippi River. Most of the conquered natives were put into slavery or forced labor. The Spanish operated vast silver mines and sugarcane p

Some common words found in the essay are:
Age Expansion, Middle Ages, England English, World British, Confederation Constitution, Navigation Acts, North American, West Indies, Stamp Act, Battle Yorktown, west indies, foreign trade, continental congress, definition wealth, american colonies, establish colonies, north america, british colonies, establish themselves, stamp act, written thomas jefferson,
Approximate Word count = 2203
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)