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Colonization The promise of new riches and the potential discovery of the fabled Northwest Passage were the primary objectives, which fueled the exploration of the New World. Yet these goals were not practical enough when the European nations decided to colonize the Americas. Apparently, "a prosperous and enduring colonial empire depended on self-sustaining economic development" (page 33) rather than an autocratic and rigidly controlled colony in which everything was to benefit the parent country. The degree of success in colonizing the Americas would be measured by this fact. As long as a country could quickly populate its colonies and establish a self-sufficient economy, it would be ahead in the race to colonize the New World. Although the new riches and the Northwest Passage were still sought after, they weren't the final motivations for colonization any longer. Each country also had their individual set of objectives for exploring the Americas. Spain, along with its quest for riches became determined to convert the "heathens" to Catholicism. The French and the Dutch stuck to the primary objectives of new riches and the discovery of the Northwest Passage. England, spurred by growing national rivalries with Franc