Unit 1 Splitting America

American History: Unit 1 Lecture 2

European Powers Carve Up North America

Competition for North America

- Spain is establishing an empire in Latin America (and parts of North America!)

- Other European nations want to establish colonies in the New World – Especially in North America

- 3 Main Competitors:

England France The Netherlands

Early Exploration of North America

• 3 countries will attempt to colonize North America:

1. France2. England3. The NetherlandsHow does it start?Magellan's trip had shown these nations that it was possible to sail West to Asia - they set out to find a route in the North.

French Efforts

• French explorers began looking for a "Northwest Passage" in the early 1500's.

• Fail to find a passage in the North, but they began exploring the American continent.

• 1673, explorer La Salle explores the Mississippi and claims the whole river valley for France.

• Calls it "Louisiana" in honor of French King Louis XIV

French Efforts

• By the mid 1700's, France had established an empire in North America

• French colonists were mostly male – interested in trade, not farming.

• Biggest activity -FUR TRADE

French Efforts

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French Efforts

• French usually got along well with Native Americans

• Fur Trade profited both groups• Founded many North American cities - often

as small forts or trading posts• Montreal, Quebec, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis,

New Orleans all started as French Settlements!

Cities Founded by the French

English Efforts

• French and Spanish exploration inspires English King James

• Failure at Roanoke – Walter Raleigh’s LOST COLONY – 1585 – Virginia Dare – 1st English child born in the New World

• King gives a charter to a group of English investors to start a new colony in Virginia

• First permanent English Colony in Americas is founded in 1607

JAMESTOWN

Jamestown

Colonists at Jamestown faced many struggles

Most did not want to work - interested in getting rich

Disease and starvation were widespread

John Smith – Important leader during Starving Time

Click on the coin below for an 8 minute video on “The Starving Time”

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Jamestown

1612, Colonists first plant important CASH CROP:TOBACCO • Becomes popular in England, saves the colony• Marriage of Indian Chief's daughter,

Pocahontas, to leader John Rolfe, keeps the peace

• 1619, FIRST REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT in the new world meets here. --> HOUSE OF BURGESSES

New England Colonies

• 1620 - PILGRIMS founded 2nd English Colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts

• Followed in 1630 by the PURITANS

• Both of these groups were seeking religious freedom in the New World

Jamestown vs. New England Colonies

Key Difference:

• Jamestown was founded for profit...• New England Colonies were

founded for religious reasons.

The Dutch

The Dutch• 1609 - Henry Hudson explores for the

Netherlands• Sails into Hudson Bay and up Hudson River• Dutch founded New Netherlands and set up

fur trade• Allow settlers from many areas

The Dutch Make An Exit

• 1664, English drive the Dutch from New Netherlands

• Rename the city New York• take control of the East coast except for

Florida

1. From http://ns1763.ca/remem/7yw-timeline-w.html

2. From Discovery Channel Education