The study of slavery in the development of early America is an extremely complex, but vitally important, part of American history. There are hundreds of thousands of documents, debates and historical studies today. According to Ms. Goetz, an assistant professor of history at Rice University, who states in The Southern Journal of History that in addition to America's geographic and chronological diversity, assessing the experiences of colonial slaves is extremely complex, “especially in the context of three European colonial powers, vigorous Indian groups, and free and enslaved blacks” (Goetz, 599). Studying the institution of slavery often requires careful investigation and analysis of the developing colonies, including their emerging economies and societies, in a highly diverse New World. Ms. Goetz also explains that the amount of research available on slavery is staggering: “Indeed, it sometimes seems that we know too much about race and slavery, rather than not enough” (Goetz 600). Exploration and discovery in America was the result of voyages chartered by European monarchs in the Atlantic, following recent explorations of the Atlantic and the development of new navigation techniques. The monarchical powers made various journeys, driven by the desire for religious fervor, political ambition, but above all profit. Imperial expansion was triggered by “ambitious economic greed.” (McCarthy) After a number of attempts, every imperial power, including Spain, Britain, Portugal, and France, had established colonies. In various regions, everyone came into contact with the indigenous people of America, known as Native Americans. Native Americans had recently established middle of paper......rade.htm.Groepl, Jennifer. "The Slave Trade: Slave Ship Voyages to the West Indies | Suite101.com." The slave trade: voyages on slave ships to the Antilles. Suite101.com: online magazine and writers' network, February 20, 2011. Web. April 28, 2011. http://www.suite101.com/content/the-slave-trade-slave-ship-voyages-to-the-west-indies-a350259. "Africans in America". Africans in America. PBS organization. Internet. March 23, 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/."Introduction to African American Colonial Life: The Official Site of Colonial Williamsburg History." Official website of Colonial Williamsburg History. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Internet. February 26, 2011. http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/african/aaintro.cfm. “The Middle Passage. » The Middle Passage [ushistory.org]. Independence Hall Association. Web. April 9, 2011. http://www.ushistory.org/us/6b.asp.