# The Europeans — The Wealth of Nations character guide

> The Europeans in The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Europeans, Europeans

**First appearance:** 0057-vii-of-colonies

## Who they are

European peoples as collective economic actors.

## In the story

### [II: Of the Produce of Land Which Sometimes Does, and Sometimes Does Not, Afford Rent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/ii-of-the-produce-of-land-which-sometimes-does-and-sometimes-does-not-afford-rent)

Referenced in the context of trade with North American hunting nations and the exchange of peltry for European goods.

### [Second Sort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/second-sort)

European settlers in North America whose arrival led to changes in land use and cattle husbandry.

### [Book III: Of the different progress of opulence in different nations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/book-iii)

Discussed in the context of their economic progress compared to other nations.

### [I: Of the Natural Progress of Opulence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/i-of-the-natural-progress-of-opulence)

Modern European states where the natural order of opulence has been inverted.

### [Of Colonies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/vii-of-colonies)

Referenced in the context of regulations sent to colonies and the general system of colonial governance.

### [Of the Motives for Establishing New Colonies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/i-of-the-motives-for-establishing-new-colonies)

European colonizers in general are described as being animated by chimerical views of gold and silver, though most were unsuccessful compared to the Spanish.

### [I: Of the Expenses of the Sovereign or Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/i-of-the-expenses-of-the-sovereign-or-commonwealth)

Referenced in the context of governments founded by German and Scythian nations that overturned the Roman empire, where the administration of justice was a source of revenue.

### [I: Of the Expense of Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/i-of-the-expense-of-defence)

Modern European nations contrasted with ancient states in terms of military proportion and expense.

### [III: Of the Expense of Public Works and Public Institutions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/iii-of-the-expense-of-public-works-and-public-institutions)

Mentioned in the context of the custom of keeping ambassadors resident in neighbouring countries during peacetime, originating from commercial interests.

### [Article I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/article-i)

Referenced in the discussion of tax systems and their effects on different economies.

### [Taxes Upon the Profit of Particular Employments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/taxes-upon-the-profit-of-particular-employments)

Mentioned in the historical context of feudal government and the emancipation of bondmen across Europe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/characters/the_europeans
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/characters