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Compare and contrast Spanish, French, Dutch, and British methods of colonization. How were they alike, and how were they different? Be sure to consider their economic goals, relations with American Indians, and demographic features/patterns of settlement.

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Most colonies established by royal charter. Earliest settlements were in Virginia

and Massachusetts but soon spread all

along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to

Georgia, and into the continent’s interior

as far as the Mississippi River.

Colonists were recruited from among

middle-class farmers, artisans, and

tradesmen. Indentured servants, specialists in certain areas (i.e., sawmill

workers, lumbermen), and convicted

criminals were also brought over.

Immigrants from other countries were

welcomed.

Distance from England and a frugal

Parliament allowed colonists to set up

local governments and representative

assemblies and to tax themselves, as

long as they did not take up arms

against the Crown.

Largely non-Catholics. Although some

tolerance was practiced in most

colonies, the Puritans in Massachusetts

established an autocratic and restrictive

religious leadership. Pennsylvania mandated complete tolerance.

Diverse economic activities included

farming, fishing, and trading. Exports

included tobacco, rice, timber, and fish.

Tobacco was the main source of revenue in the Virginia and North Carolina

colonies.

Rapid growth due to liberal immigration

policies. By 1627 Virginia had approximately 1,000 settlers. By 1754 total

population in the English colonies had

grown to 1.5 million; this included large

proportions of German and French.

Originally friendly; early colonists relied

on Native Americans for trade and for

help with survival. Eventually greed for

land led to major conflicts with Indians.

French Colonies

First colonies were trading posts in

Newfoundland; others followed in wake

of exploration of the St. Lawrence valley,

parts of Canada, and the Mississippi

River. Settlements include Quebec

(1608) and Montreal (1642). Louisiana

settled in the late 1600s.

Initially fur traders, merchants, and missionaries. In 1665 some 1100 French

soldiers arrived and were given land.

Neither Protestants nor peasant farmers

were allowed to emigrate.

Colonies were fully subject to the French

king. There were no political rights or

representative government, and public

meetings could not be held without permission.

Even though Protestants had played a

role in the founding of New France, from

around 1659 on they were excluded

from the colony. Colonial life was largely

controlled by the French Catholic clergy.

Although the French government encouraged farming efforts, the fur trade

proved to be more lucrative. Plantations

established in the Mississippi valley

largely failed.

Slow growth; by 1672 no more than

5,000 colonists had settled throughout

New France. In Canada the French population totaled just under 40,000 by

1734. In Louisiana, by 1763 there were

approximately 10,000 settlers, including

5,000 slaves and Acadians.

Despite conversion efforts of missionaries, French respect for Native Americans

allowed many to forge alliances, especially in their wars against the British.

Spanish Colonies

Crown-sponsored conquests gained riches for Spain and expanded its empire.

Most of the southern and southwestern

regions claimed, as well as sections of

the California coast. Settlements include

St. Augustine, Florida (1565); Santa Fe,

New Mexico (1610); and numerous

cities in Texas and California.

Conquistadores, soldiers, and missionaries were the primary Spanish colonizers; farmers and traders came later.

Colonies were governed by crownappointed viceroys or governors.

Settlers had to obey the king’s laws and

could make none of their own.

Settlers were restricted to Catholics;

Protestants were persecuted and driven

out.

Largely a trading economy; some farming in the West. Commerce was controlled by the Spanish board of trade,

with regulations enforced by the

Spanish military.

Slow growth due to greater emphasis on

military conquest, poor relations with

Native Americans, and numerous early

failures to establish permanent settlements. Largest Spanish populations

were in Florida, Texas, California, and

Mexico.

Spanish missionaries saw Native

Americans as heathens to be converted

to Christianity; soldiers viewed them as

fit only for killing or subjugation.

sorry its so much. but if you read this it will help you out so much!

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