2.2 European Colonization
Broad Context
Period 1 (1491-1607) was a time of European exploration in the Americas, dominated by the
Spanish.
In the period from 1607 to 1754, however, exploration began giving way to expanding
colonization.
The first permanent North American settlements of each respective European power developed
in quick succession:
1607: Jamestown (Britain)
1608: Quebec (France)
1609: New York (Netherlands)
1610: Santa Fe (Spain)
As we will see, the comparable and contrasting goals of these European powers affected key
developments in their respective colonies during this pivotal period in American history.
Spanish Colonies
While the Spanish aggressively dominated colonization in Central and South America, they
colonized North America more slowly. In North America, Roman Catholic missionaries worked
to counter to expanding influence of Protestantism. The first North American Spanish settlement
was founded in Florida in 1565, more than 50 years before the founding of Jamestown. However,
the population of Spanish Florida remained small, as gold and silver in the region proved scarce.
Intermarriage and the casta system carried in to this region.
French Colonies
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain, the "Father of New France," founded Quebec as a trading post.
Similar to the Spanish, French colonists were mostly men, though far fewer in number. In fact,
two decades after Quebec was founded, just over 200 French colonists lived in the New World.
The French mostly worked in the lucrative fur trade with Native Americans. The French
colonists forged close ties with Native Americans, developing critical trade relationships in fur
and alliances through intermarriage with American Indian women. Gradually, the French began
to map the Mississippi River. By 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle had reached the
Mississippi basin, claiming the region he named Louisiana after King Louis XIV. By 1718, they
established New Orleans, which became an important trade center.
Dutch Colonies
In the 1600s, the Netherlands sponsored expeditions in search of a northwest passage to Asia. In
1609, while searching for the passage, Englishman Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor.
Like the French, the Dutch aimed to develop trade in the New World and consisted of small
numbers of traders. However, while the Dutch similarly built strong trade networks among
Native Americans, they were less likely than the French to intermarry. Tolerance of religious
practices rendered the colony the most religiously and ethnically diverse in North America.
Though it failed to attract settlers to compete with the rapidly growing numbers of English
settlers.
, British Colonies
Britain in the 16th century was a lesser European power due to internal turmoil stemming from
the Protestant Reformation under King Henry VIII. In 1558, Elizabeth I assumes the throne,
leading to England's participation in exploration. After a failed attempt to set up a colony in 1587
in Roanoke, the first permanent English settlement in the New World was established at
Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. This was followed by the establishment of Plymouth Colony in
1620. With the English, there was less intermarriage. Moreover, population growth led to
competition over land with natives, leasing to a contentious evolving relationship.
Broad Context
Period 1 (1491-1607) was a time of European exploration in the Americas, dominated by the
Spanish.
In the period from 1607 to 1754, however, exploration began giving way to expanding
colonization.
The first permanent North American settlements of each respective European power developed
in quick succession:
1607: Jamestown (Britain)
1608: Quebec (France)
1609: New York (Netherlands)
1610: Santa Fe (Spain)
As we will see, the comparable and contrasting goals of these European powers affected key
developments in their respective colonies during this pivotal period in American history.
Spanish Colonies
While the Spanish aggressively dominated colonization in Central and South America, they
colonized North America more slowly. In North America, Roman Catholic missionaries worked
to counter to expanding influence of Protestantism. The first North American Spanish settlement
was founded in Florida in 1565, more than 50 years before the founding of Jamestown. However,
the population of Spanish Florida remained small, as gold and silver in the region proved scarce.
Intermarriage and the casta system carried in to this region.
French Colonies
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain, the "Father of New France," founded Quebec as a trading post.
Similar to the Spanish, French colonists were mostly men, though far fewer in number. In fact,
two decades after Quebec was founded, just over 200 French colonists lived in the New World.
The French mostly worked in the lucrative fur trade with Native Americans. The French
colonists forged close ties with Native Americans, developing critical trade relationships in fur
and alliances through intermarriage with American Indian women. Gradually, the French began
to map the Mississippi River. By 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle had reached the
Mississippi basin, claiming the region he named Louisiana after King Louis XIV. By 1718, they
established New Orleans, which became an important trade center.
Dutch Colonies
In the 1600s, the Netherlands sponsored expeditions in search of a northwest passage to Asia. In
1609, while searching for the passage, Englishman Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor.
Like the French, the Dutch aimed to develop trade in the New World and consisted of small
numbers of traders. However, while the Dutch similarly built strong trade networks among
Native Americans, they were less likely than the French to intermarry. Tolerance of religious
practices rendered the colony the most religiously and ethnically diverse in North America.
Though it failed to attract settlers to compete with the rapidly growing numbers of English
settlers.
, British Colonies
Britain in the 16th century was a lesser European power due to internal turmoil stemming from
the Protestant Reformation under King Henry VIII. In 1558, Elizabeth I assumes the throne,
leading to England's participation in exploration. After a failed attempt to set up a colony in 1587
in Roanoke, the first permanent English settlement in the New World was established at
Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. This was followed by the establishment of Plymouth Colony in
1620. With the English, there was less intermarriage. Moreover, population growth led to
competition over land with natives, leasing to a contentious evolving relationship.
