Problems in American Democracy | Page 5

nations of modern times are
located chiefly within the stimulating temperate zones, where Nature is
richly endowed, but where, too, her treasures are rarely bestowed upon
those who do not struggle consistently for them.
The second condition of national greatness is an intelligent and
industrious population, willing to abide by the law, and devoted to the
building of homes. The combination of an unpromising land and an
inferior population effectually prevents the rise of a high civilization.
And just as the choicest of men can do relatively little in an unfriendly
land, so the most promising of countries may be despoiled or
temporarily ruined by a slothful or lawless population.
From the standpoint of civilization, the best results are obtained when a
virile and law-abiding people exercise control over a land rich in
natural resources and possessed of a stimulating climate. France and
Great Britain in Europe, and Canada and the United States in North
America, are examples of great nations which have been built up in
such lands and by such peoples.
3. THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF NORTH AMERICA.--It will be
interesting to examine North America in the light of the two conditions
of national greatness discussed in the preceding section. We may note,
first of all, that by far the greater part of the territory now comprising
the United States and Canada is distinctly favorable to settlement. This
territory lies almost entirely within the temperate zone: it has

unattractive spots, but in general it is neither so barren of resources as
to discourage the home-maker, nor so tropical in its abundance as to
reward him without his putting forth considerable effort. Particularly
within the bounds of the United States is a well- balanced national life
encouraged by the diversity of soils and the wide variety of climate.
[Footnote: For a fuller discussion of the natural resources of the United
States, see
Chapter VI
.] Certainly the continent of North America fulfills the first condition of
national greatness.
4. THE COMING OF THE EUROPEAN.--The discovery of America
in 1492 opened a new era in world history. The nations of western
Europe were disappointed when their earlier explorers found the way to
Cathay blocked by a new land-mass, but the Spanish discovery of
treasure in Mexico and South America soon turned disappointment into
keen interest. No magic palaces or spice islands were found, but there
were revealed two virgin continents inviting colonial expansion on a
scale previously unknown. Of the European powers which at various
times laid claim to parts of the New World, Spain, France, Holland, and
England occupy significant positions in the background of American
democracy. We may briefly notice the influence of each of these four
powers upon America.
5. SPAIN.--Though the Spanish were the first in the field, the motives
of the colonists limited their ultimate success in the new land. The
earlier Spaniards were missionaries and treasure-seekers, rather than
home builders and artisans. The early discovery of great quantities of
gold and silver had the effect of encouraging the continued search for
treasure. In this treasure-quest, often fruitless, the Spanish practically
confined themselves to Mexico and the region to the south. In these
areas they did valuable work in Christianizing and educating the
natives, but little industrial progress was made. Except for the
missionary work of the Spanish, their earlier colonization was largely
transient and engaged in for the purpose of exploitation.
6. FRANCE.--France disputed the claim of Spain to North America
soon after the opening of the sixteenth century. The French attempted

to settle in Florida and in South Carolina, but the opposition of the
near-by Spanish forced the newcomers to leave. In 1524 Verrazano
explored the North Atlantic coast for the French, and ten years later
Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence and founded the claim of France to
that section of the New World.
Following the example of Spain, France dispatched missionaries to the
New World to convert the Indians. Soldiers and trappers were sent out
to develop the valuable fur trade by the establishment of widely
separated forts and trading posts. But the French settlers had no popular
lawmaking bodies, being completely under the power of the king. Only
along the St. Lawrence, where agricultural colonies were planted, did
the French really attach themselves to the soil. Elsewhere there were
few French women and therefore few normal French homes, and when
in 1763 all of the French possessions east of the Mississippi were ceded
to England, it was largely true that the French colonies had not yet
taken root in the country. Infinite courage, devotion, and self-sacrifice
were ultimately wasted, largely because of the lack of homes, the
absence of self-government, and the failure to develop an industrial
basis of colonization.
7. HOLLAND.--The Dutch became aware of the commercial
possibilities of the New World