French and Dutch Settlements

French and Dutch Settlements in the New World

Samuel de Champlain

• French Explorer• He explored the Saint Lawrence River• Hoping to find the Northwest Passage• Founded the French colony of Quebec• Quebec was a great trading center for beaver

fur.• The French colonies were called “New France.”

Henry Hudson• Sailed for the Dutch• Dutch colonies in North America became

known as “New Netherland”• The Netherlands is another name for Holland,

the country of the Dutch.• “New Amsterdam”– Dutch town• “New Amsterdam” was later taken over by

the English and renamed “New York.”

Champlain searched for a quicker sea route to Asia

Beaver were plentiful in the forests near Quebec.

Hudson explored the North American coast.

Causes Effects

Suppose that you are a French or Dutch explorer in the 1500’s. Write a letter to your ruler explaining why he or she should pay for your expedition. Explain what you hope to find and why it will be valuable to your country.