European Settlements in the “New World”

Europe’s Interest in the “New World” As competition between European countries intensified, explorers and colonists from all over Europe began to flood into the “New World” to claim its land and riches. Leading European Countries: Spain, Portugal, France, Netherlands (the Dutch), and the English

Spain & Portugal: WHO? The Conquistadors Spanish conquerors—young men searching for riches! Examples: Hernan Cortez (conquered the Aztecs) Francisco Pizarro (conquered the Incas)

Spain & Portugal: GOAL Gold, Glory, and God!

Spain & Portugal: ATTITUDE At first, they just wanted to find gold. Later, they began to establish settlements in order to exploit the natural resources of the “New World.” Agriculture plantations Enslaved Native Americans Began the blending of two cultures (Native & European)

Spain & Portugal: SETTLEMENTS Plantations and Missions in: The Caribbean Mexico Central America South America Florida Southern California New Mexico Southern Texas

Sugar Plantation in Brazil

Spanish Exploration of North America

The French & the Dutch: WHO? Adventurous men looking to make money!

The French & The Dutch: GOAL Fur-trapping Trading with the Native Americans

The French & The Dutch: ATTITUDE Early in Exploration: Peaceful trade with the Natives Some Catholic missionaries to covert Native Americans to Christianity Later: Would claim land

Robert de la Salle at the mouth of the Mississippi River claiming it for the French.

The French & The Dutch: SETTLEMENTS Early Few permanent settlements Established trading posts in Canada Later Colonies in Canada and Southern U.S. Miramichi River, Canada

poor, men in search of gold. England: WHO? At first: Mostly young (18-22), unmarried, poor, men in search of gold.

England: GOAL Later, they establish farms and colonies to make money!

England: ATTITUDE Harsh attitude towards the Native Americans No blending of cultures—used the Native help when needed then quickly forgot it! Wanted resources to make $$ only!

England: SETTLEMENTS Roanoke 1ST attempt at an English settlement was Roanoke Island off the coast of South Carolina Settlers vanished (still a mystery)

England: SETTLEMENTS Jamestown 1st permanent English settlement was Jamestown, established in 1607 in Virginia. Founded by a Joint-Stock Company: Investors put their $$ together to cover the costs of colonization & then share the profits. Jamestown Joint Stock was called the Virginia Company.

England: SETTLEMENTS Jamestown The leader of Jamestown was Captain John Smith. 3 ships and 150 passengers (mostly young men) arrived to search for gold and silver.

The Beginning Jamestown settlers struggled with contaminated river water and hunger. Settlers weren’t farmers & refused to work. By the winter, only 38 colonists survived. Smith negotiated with the nearby Powhatan people to help provide the settlement with food.

The “Starving Time” Smith was forced to leave, and in the Spring of 1609, 600 new colonists arrived. The Powhatan grew alarmed with the growing number of settlers began to attack the colonists’ livestock and destroy their farms. Famine for the colonists followed and only 60 survived the winter—this was called the “Starving Time”.

Success in Jamestown After the “Starving Time,” the surviving colonists moved away from the original settlement. Eventually, the worked hard and the settlement began to stabilize. Overtime, the Jamestown settlers discovered “Virginian Gold.” (What is this?)

England: SETTLEMENTS Jamestown “Virginian Gold” (Brown Gold) was TOBACCO! Tobacco saved them!

England: SETTLEMENTS Jamestown The success of Jamestown with tobacco encouraged more colonies to form. By the late 1620’s colonists exported more than 1.5 million pounds of tobacco to England a year. These colonies needed workers. Indentured Servant: laborer who worked for a master for a period of time in return for the cost of their voyage. Also began to import African slaves.

England: WHO? Pilgrims & Puritans Who were the Pilgrims & Puritans? Families who were fleeing England because of religious persecution. 1st group, called the Pilgrims, founded the Plymouth Colony in 1620 (the 2nd permanent English colony)

England: GOAL/ATTITUDE Pilgrims & Puritans Wanted religious freedom from the Church of England Wanted to establish new communities and improve their own financial situations. Brought their entire family to the “New World” to start a new life!

Religion & Puritan Life The Puritans developed a system of self-government that was closely tied to the Church. Also, the family unit was the center of life. Puritans kept a watchful eye on the actions of husbands, wives, and children.

England: SETTLEMENTS Pilgrims & Puritans Northeastern coast of North America—”New England” Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut Transformed the land for farming and to build homes. The Puritan communities had very difficult relations with the natives