North and South America in the 18 th Century

China:  Had similar levels of Military technology  Politically unified  Europeans posed no threat to them at this time  Europeans operated and traded only with Chinese permission  Christian missionaries were tolerated for a time India:  Politically divided  Europeans got involved in the conflicts in the region  European influence in the area grew slowly  Although Europeans did not directly control India, they were a powerful political and military presence  They were able to set up military bases throughout the region and eventually came to dominate trade and commerce

 South America was mostly colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese  Thousands of Slaves were imported to South America (Brazil was the single largest importer of slaves) and plantations and mines were set up across the continent  Since Spain still had relations with the Catholic Church, Jesuit missionaries came to South America to spread the Catholic Faith

 The Jesuits set up hundred of Missions (or Reductions) and educated and converted many Native South Americans  The Jesuits also believed slavery was morally wrong and an affront to God  The Jesuits protected Natives from slave hunters (mostly Portuguese)  However, in a deal made between Spain and Portugal, Brazil was awarded to Portugal  When this happened, the Spanish protection of the Missions in Brazil ended and Portuguese slave hunter ravaged the countryside  The Missions were destroyed and the Jesuits were forcibly removed – some were murdered

 North American Natives faced a massive influx of French and British colonists  These colonies soon expanded in every direction and more and more Native groups were displaced by Europeans  However, through cunning and intelligence, most native tribes were able to survive and thrive during these early years  They soon understood that the French and English were bitter rivals and were able to play the two sides against each other

 Many native tribes saw the benefit of trade with the Europeans – they had Guns, Horses etc  Some Natives admired the Europeans strength and technology – attempts were often made to copy European practices The Gunstock War Club

 The North American component of the Seven Years War between France and Britain  Started because English Colonies expended into territory claimed by the French  A brutal Conflict with many Native tribes caught in the middle  Most Natives decided to side with the French  The French were mostly Hunters and Trappers and had good relations with the Natives, the English were farmers and merchants and were more of an imposition  The decisive battle was the Battle for Quebec – AKA the Plains of Abraham  The British won and came to dominate the continent  This war had a major impact on the creation of both USA and Canada  However, this war put Natives in a bad position – they could no longer play the middle ground  Nothing was stopping the English from expanding deeper and deeper into North America  BUT.. After years of war, the British wanted peace with the Natives – however, the colonists wanted reward for their victory – they demanded permission to take more and more from the surrounding areas  This was the beginning of problems between the 13 colonies and Britain... Problems that eventually lead to the American revolution

 The Portuguese domination of Brazil leads to the destruction of many native groups  The seven years war is fought for control of North America  The British win... This has a major impact on the natives (very negative) and the formation of both Canada and the USA.