European Exploration of North America

European competition for power and expansion led to the nation states to explore and colonize North America.

SpainFrance

England

SpainWhat was Columbus

hoping to discover exploring America?

To discover gold and other profitable

resources.

The Spanish

• The Spanish explored the North American continent for 3 main reasons.–To find riches (Goods)–To spread religion, or Christianity (God)–To expand their empire (Glory)

What part of the New World did Spain explore and eventually colonize?

They explored and eventually settled land in present-day Florida, Southwest United States, Mexico, and the islands in the Caribbean.

Spanish America

What role did Spain’s missionaries play in colonization of New Spain?

• King Phillip II

–Declared that spreading Catholicism was the main reason for founding new settlements.

• Missionaries also taught Native Americans new skills such as making bread and using cattle, horses, tools, and weapons.

How did Spain’s colonization attempts impact the Native Americans in the Americas?

• Encomienda System– Gave Spanish (encomenderos) power to

tax Native Americans or enslave them.– Spread of disease– Forced religious conversion to

Catholicism •Colonial Society

1. Peninsulares: Native Spaniards2. Criollos: Americans with Spanish parents3. Mestizos: Americans with Spanish and Native

American parents4. Native Americans: Limited rights (some are slaves)5. Africans: Little or no rights (Slaves)

Three Types of Spanish Settlements

• Pueblos: trade and government

• Missions: convert American Indians to Catholicism

• Presidios: military forts for protection.

Group Discussion

Based on what you know and what we

have discussed, were the Spanish

successful in meeting their goals in the New

World?

The Council of the Indies

The Council of the Indies were formed in 1524 to govern

the New World from Spain. Pretend they have asked you to

write a description of each type of settlement and the

economic system of New Spain. You may work in groups to

create the descriptions. Also, you must include a

description of the encomienda system and how it

eventually leads to plantations and slave labor. Use pages

72-75 in your textbook as a reference.

France

France’s adaptive approach to explore and colonize led to

trade and cooperation with Native Americans.

What Geographical Regions did France explore?

● North America• 1524: North Carolina to Maine• 1534 & 1535: Canada, St. Lawrence River

reaching Montreal• 1615: Great Lakes• 1609: Dutch hired English captain Henry

Hudson– New York– Hudson Bay

What was France’s motivation for exploring North America?

• Searching for a Northwest Passage hoping to find a pathway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.– Unsuccessful attempts, but led to more

European interest in exploring North America

How did France establish trade in North America?

● They formed small trading settlements and fishing villages.– Fur trade became profitable around the

Great Lakes.—French traded tools, jewelry, and cloth with

Native Americans for furs.—Traders lived far from large French settlements,

so they adopted many of the Native Americans’ traditions to survive.

How did France’s relationship with Native Americans differ from Spain?

• France established trade with Indians, while Spain wanted to find gold and convert the Native Americans.

• Spain exploited Native Americans by using them for labor.

• Spain fought with the Aztecs which led to destruction of the Aztec nation.

To what extent did the fur trade lead to the French and Indian War?

• The British colonists wanted to move into the Ohio River Valley.

• The French fought along side the Native American’s against England and the colonists.

In Partners

Discuss the following:

What were the differences between Spain’s and France’s methods for colonization?

Individual Assignment

Create a graphic organizer comparing and contrasting American exploration and

colonization of Spain and France.