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164 ANDREW FISH

THE DIPLOMATIC BACKGROUND.

The expansion of Europe on the North American continent began with the successful expeditions of the Spanish soldier pioneers ; the realm of the Aztec ruler, Montezuma, in Mexico was effectively annexed to Spain by 1521. Already the Spaniards were in possession of some of the most desirable of the West Indian islands; they had established themselves in Central America, and had penetrated Florida to the north. After Cortez's justly famous capture of Mexico City, various expeditions made brilliant discoveries along the Pacific coast and up through the interior to regions now included in the State of Kansas.

Europe, of course, was not a unit, and expansion was effected through the most intense and bitter rivalry among the leading European nations. After Spain came England. At- tempts at settlement were being made before the sixteenth century had run its course, but not until 1607 at Jamestown, was a permanent foothold gained. From this developed the Old Dominion of Virginia. Separate movements beginning in 1620 produced the New England settlements; royal grants opened up still further tracts of land to English colonists ; and an inconveniently situated Dutch Colony lying between the English northern and southern groups was quietly annexed so that the Atlantic coast from Canada to Carolina was under the same flag.

Not only Spain and England, but France also must expand. She had her intrepid discoverers as had the others; -in 1608 Champlain founded Quebec, and to the north of the English there grew up the great French Empire, Canada. The writing of this magnificent epic was the life-work of Francis Park- man. North, west, and south along the valley of the Missis- sippi went these adventurous Frenchmen, annexing enormous stretches of territory to the French crown. The result was that by claiming the whole Mississippi region under the name of Louisiana any possible expansion of the English was