European nations had different reasons for exploring North America, specifically the Southeastern region. Economic competition between the French, the Dutch, the Spanish, and the English was a primary cause for the exploration of North America. Each desired to build a large empire that would create political and economic dominance in the world.

Unit 2: Colonization In your notebook, write down some things you think of when you hear the word “colony” or “colonial.” Look at this map drawn by a European in 1489. Make some observations in your notes.

Unit 2: Colonization

Section 2: Europe and the Colonization of America Essential Question: Why did European countries explore, claim, and settle the North American continent?

Section 2: Europe and the Colonization of America What terms do I need to know? slave middleman immunity expedition colony mission plantation backcountry

European Exploration and Conquest By 1400s, European nations began to explore and conquer other lands: more wealth, greater empire, and power were sought hope of spreading religious beliefs They wanted a water route to Asia to improve trade. England, Spain, and France all tried to colonize the southeastern part of North America.

How could Europeans trade with the Far East?

A Search for New Trade Routes Spanish, French, and English also wanted to trade with Asia. Countries with monarchs (kings and queens) formed armies and navies to protect their merchants. Sailing Atlantic Ocean required strong ships: Caravels (strong-masted ships) were developed. A compass helped to tell direction. The astrolabe determined ship’s position by taking altitude of the sun and the stars (made it possible to sail out of the sight of land). Link: 16th Century Navigation

EUROPEAN MOVEMENT ONTO NATIVE AMERICAN LAND European movement

Spain Spain was interested in North America (particularly the Southeast) for the three G’s: God, Gold and Glory. Converting the American Indians to Christianity, filling the Spanish monarch’s treasury with gold, and seeking personal fortune and fame were the goals of Spanish conquistadores. The Spanish never realized the need for self-sustaining colonies as they were preoccupied with their search for gold.

Spain In 1492 Christopher Columbus set sail for the west & opened exploration during the Renaissance. God, Gold, and Glory were reasons for wanting colonies. A first effect of Spanish contact with people of the Americas was the exchange that began in biology: Animals, plants, new varieties of foods were introduced. Microscopic germs and viruses (smallpox, measles, tuberculosis, influenza, typhus, cholera etc.) were transferred (90% or more of native people died – largest population loss in written history).

Spain

Spain

Spain Other effects of Spanish (and later other Europeans) contact with Native Americans centered around customs and property. Native Americans believed more in sharing and using land and resources. Europeans believed more in owning property; believed they had the right to take over land of weaker people.

Spanish Exploration of Georgia First major exploration of Georgia and the southeast (1539-41) was with Hernando de Soto: No gold or silver was found in Georgia. Sometimes fought with Indians. Transferred diseases from Old World (e.g. smallpox) – many Indians died as a result. Was a failure – found no gold or silver; died on his journey Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established 1st permanent Spanish settlement in America (St. Augustine) in 1565.

Spanish Exploration of Georgia

Spanish Exploration of Georgia

Spanish Missions in Georgia In 1560, the Spanish set up Catholic missions in the southeast: A mission is a church outpost used to convert (and change/control) native people. Each mission had a church and house for the priest. The priests came to convert Indians to Christian religion (as practiced by Catholics) and teach them Spanish customs. The mission era began to decline (middle & late 1600s) in part because of decrease in Indian population due to diseases brought by the explorers. revolts by Indians and the fact that most never really converted.

Spanish Missions in Early Georgia

Spanish Missions in Georgia

France France- was interested in developing a serious fur trade in North America, was primarily interested in Louisiana, the Ohio Valley, and Canada. However, in 1562, Jean Ribault explored Georgia’s coastline in search of the ideal location on which to establish a French colony. He chose a South Carolina location instead. French Protestants eventually moved from South Carolina into Georgia as they sought religious freedom in the 1730’s.

French Exploration and Colonization French sent explorers to acquire land and wealth in the Americas: Canada and Great Lakes area claimed, as well as much of the Mississippi River Valley city of New Orleans established (1718) profitable fur-trading business exchanged with Native Americans – generally got along better than with Spain, England French were unsuccessful in the southeast (Spain basically kicked them out)

English England desired to create permanent colonies in North America to support the economic policy of mercantilism (the economic policy in which a country seeks to export more than it imports). The “mother country” developed colonies that produced raw materials that would be shipped “home” for production into finished products. These products would be shipped back to the colony for purchase by the colonists. Other reasons for creating colonies included a desire for “religious freedom” and a place to begin a “new life”. http://players.brightcove.net/1127823189/HJ4ZmZLOH_default/index.html?videoId=2562335839001

English Exploration and Colonization What were some of the challenges and hardships faced by early colonists?

English Exploration and Colonization England established first permanent colony in America (Jamestown, Virginia – 1607). Successful: built towns and populated the colony with English citizens. Gave England a great deal of control over the land. citizens would be productive and defend their land and families. Many colonies became havens for Protestants and others seeking religious freedom.

England: Economics mercantilism: a trade policy designed to make a country as self-sufficient and wealthy as possible. The country had to set-up colonies from which it could get raw materials that could not be found or gathered at home. The colony had to produce raw materials only for the mother country. The colony had to buy finished/manufactured goods only from the mother country.

England: Mercantilism

Carolina: Beginnings of Georgia In 1660s, English king gave supporters a large land grant: The boundary extended from Virginia to Florida. The colony was named “Carolina.” 1670s – 1720s: Settlers established plantations: grew sugar, brought slaves for work. Traders moved into the backcountry; fur trade established between traders and Indians that lived in what is now Georgia Traders and Indians married; Native American culture began to change. 1720s – Native Americans were familiar with English and their ways, relied on English for trade

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