Chapter 16 Section 3 – The Struggle for North America

Setting the Scene: In the 1600s, France, the Netherlands, England, and Sweden joined Spain in claiming parts of North America. North America did not yield vast treasure or offer a water passage to Asia, as they had hoped. Before long, though, the English and French were turning large profits by growing tobacco in Virginia, fishing off the North Atlantic coast, and trading fur from New England to Canada. By 1700, France and England controlled large parts of North America. As their colonies grew, they developed their own governments, different from each other and from that of Spanish America.

In 1608 Samuel de Champlain built the first permanent French settlement in Quebec

Jesuits and other missionaries followed, trying to convert Native Americans

Jesuit missionaries being welcomed by Recollet missionaries, Quebec, 1625. After the Recollets first arrived in 1614, they were followed by the Jesuits in 1625.

The harsh climate and poor soil attracted few farmers and the population grew slowly

In the late 1600s, King Louis XIV sent settlers and soldiers to New France

Three types of immigrants settled in New France:Les filles du roi - about 900 orphan girls sent over by the King because of the shortage of women in the colony. Soldiers who were offered free land after having completed their military service. Les engagés (hired workers) who agreed to come and work in New France for 3 years.

French forts, missions, and trading posts stretched from Quebec to Louisiana, yet the population remained small

A. Early Settlers

In 1607, the English built their first permanent colony at Jamestown, Virginia

Many settlers died of starvation or disease; the rest survived with the help of the Native Americans

The settlers started growing tobacco, a crop they learned about from the Indians

Harvesting tobacco at Jamestown, about 1650

In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, seeking religious freedom

The Landing of the Pilgrims by Bacon

Before coming ashore they signed the Mayflower Compact, which set out guidelines for governing their colony

Many Pilgrims died until local Indians taught them to grow corn and helped them survive

More immigrants arrived and the Massachusetts Bay Colony was established

Some colonies were organized for profit, others were havens for persecuted religious groups

The colonies needed workers and Africans were imported as slaves

Royal governors oversaw colonial affairs and passed laws to regulate trade

Each colony had a representative assembly to advise the governor and decide local issues

Williamsburg, VA

A. European Colonies in the Americas

By the 1600s, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands were competing for colonies and trade around the world

During the 1700s, Britain and France emerged as global powers and clashed in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia

In North America, the French and Indian War lasted from 1754 to 1763

The Seven Years' War erupted in 1756 in Europe and spread to India and Africa

The 1763 Treaty of Paris ended the war and ensured British dominance in North America

As settlers claimed more land, Native Americans resisted and bitter fighting resulted

Disease weakened or killed many Native Americans and their population plummeted

Decline of the Illinois Indian population, 1677-1765.

The Indian way of life helped shape the emerging new culture of North America