Spain
Spanish View
“The discovery of the South Sea would
lead to the discovery of many islands
rich in gold, pearls, precious stones . . .
and other unknown and wonderful
things.”
~Hernán Cortés, 1533
The Spanish colonies were sparsely
populated. Most of the residents were
Catholic missionaries intent on converting
natives. Missions were scattered
throughout the territories. In just over a
few generations most of the population
consisted of people of mixed heritage.
Spanish explorers searched for lands that resembled the lands they knew
back home. The people of Spain had learned to mine mineral ores from
Spain’s mountainous terrain. Well-acquainted with the economic importance
of mineral ores, Spain’s earliest explorers were drawn to mountainous
areas of Mexico and what is today the southwestern United States. Later in the
colonial period, the Spanish grew cash crops such as tobacco in Central and South America
and sugar in the Caribbean islands. The Spanish conquered many Native American
civilizations including the Aztecs and Incas, which stretched their territory from California
in the north to present day Chile in the south. Many of these conquistadors are remembered
today. Ponce de Leon, explored Florida looking for the fountain of youth and De Vaca and
De Soto explored much more of what is now the Southeastern United States. The Spanish
tried to enslave many of these natives but when their attempts failed due to illness they
began importing African slaves.
France
The French View
There is a great number of stags,
deer, bears, and other beasts.”
~Jacques Cartier, 1530s
The French were eager to profit from
North America’s abundant natural
resources. French explorers traveled
the St. Lawrence River and
the northern Appalachian Mountain
range and claimed these lands for
France. Finding a region teeming with
beavers, muskrats, and deer, the French turned to trading with Native Americans for
animal furs. The French built a fur-trading monopoly that brought them great wealth.
Jacques Cartier and Samuel De Champlain were two well known explorers that sailed under
the French flag. Initially the French searched for a new trade route to Asia that would pass
through the North American continent. They had no success in finding the fabled Northwest
Passage, but succeeded in other ways like trading and hunting. The population of the
French colonies remained relatively low with the largest of the population being in the
Quebec region of the St. Lawrence River in modern day Canada. New Orleans, at the base of
the Mississippi River, becomes one of the most strategic locations in North America. As a
direct result of France’s willingness to trade with natives, the two sides cultivated a peaceful
coexistence. Although limited, the French also had territories in the Caribbean where they
grew sugar cane that was used to satisfy the French’s ever-growing sweet tooth. Over the
colonial period, France’s territory grows and shrinks as a result of wars and treaties.
Great Britain
The English View
“There are valleys and plains streaming with
the sweet Springs. . . . The land is
full of minerals, plenty of woods [which we
lack in England]. There are growing
goodly oaks and elms, beech and birch . . .
and fir trees, in great [abundance. The] soil
is strong and lusty of its own nature.”
~Anonymous English writer, early 1600s
The British started establishing colonies
late in the game compared to many other
European powers. The thirteen colonies
were established and thriving only after
Jamestown and Plymouth were
established a century prior. The
populations of the British colonies were
both diverse and highly populous.
English explorers, who settled in Virginia, found a land and climate that was better suited
than their homeland for growing food. In the northern territories they found the soil
conditions for farming to be less fertile than in the mother country. Names of some of these
explorers were Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Religion played a central role in the
northern colonies and slaves from west Africa and indentured servants from Europe played
an equally similar role in the southern British colonies. Some of the many religions in the
colonies were Puritans, Quakers, and Anglicans. The British had a tumultuous relationship
with Native Americans. The eastern woodland Indian tribes and the British were mostly at
odds. English colonies that grew up in the 1600s were heavily dependent on farming, and
they traded crops for manufactured English goods. Wheat, corn, tobacco, and rice were just
some of these crops. Trade from the colonies to Great Britain provided both sides with
wealth and continuing prosperity that lead to Great Britain’s dominance as a world power.
Portugal & Holland
Portugal
The Portuguese age of exploration was set off
by Prince Henry of Portugal. He encouraged
Portuguese explorers to set up trading posts
along the coast of west Africa. Vasco De Gama
was Portugal’s leading explorer in Africa. Once
land was discovered to the west, Portugal sent
explorers led by Pedro Alvares Cabral to stake
their claim. When they reached the shore they
established the area known as Brazil. Brazil
became a successful thriving colony for
the Portuguese because of their abundant natural resources and long coastline. Many slaves
from their west African lands were shipped to Brazil for a life of servitude. The settlers of
Brazil farmed, traded, and acted as missionaries for the native people.
Holland
The Dutch held a long-standing reputation as
traders. They were quick to send Henry Hudson
to America to establish a colony. They established
New Amsterdam on the island of Manhattan and
it quickly became a center for trade and finance.
Although their territory remained small, the success
and strategic location led Great Britain to conquer
the territory and rename it New York. Once their
territory was gone, they remained a key player in
North America by importing slaves and other
goods all around the world.