Unit 2 Overview: European Colonization in the Americas

Period covered in Unit 2

1607 to 1754

Major themes of Unit 2

Comparing different motives and methods of European colonization in the Americas

European countries colonizing the Americas

Spain, France, the Dutch, and Britain

Spain's approach to colonization

Spain focused on extracting wealth, while France prioritized trade

Primary goal of Spanish colonization

To extract wealth through cash crops and mining gold and silver

Significant aspect of French colonial policy

French colonial policy focused on trade, particularly in fish and fur

First permanent French settlement in North America

Quebec

French traders' relationships with Native Americans

By marrying American Indian wives to strengthen kinship ties

Economic focus of the Dutch colonies

The Dutch focused on establishing a fur trading center

Established by the Dutch in 1624

New Amsterdam

Motivations for British colonization

New economic opportunities and seeking religious freedom

First permanent British settlement in North America

Jamestown

Financing of Jamestown

By a joint stock company

Primary labor system in early Jamestown

Indentured servants

Increase in demand for land in Jamestown

The rising demand for tobacco cultivation

Spanish goals during this period

To exert tight control, convert natives, and gain gold

Goals of the Dutch and French compared to Spanish

They sent fewer settlers and established trade alliances

Significant product traded by Dutch and French

Fur, especially beaver fur

Differences between English colonies and Dutch/French colonies

They established colonies that relied heavily on agriculture, specifically tobacco

Colonies in the Chesapeake region

Virginia and Maryland

Relationship between English settlers and Native Americans

They often had hostile relationships

Intermarriage in British colonies

No, they rarely intermarried

Social structure in British colonies

A rigid social hierarchy that was unchangeable

Atlantic slave trade

A part of the middle passage of the Columbian Exchange

Reasons for increase in slavery

Racial superiority, lack of indentured servants, and high European demand for labor-intensive goods

Consequence of African slavery in the Americas

A desire for more land leading to conflicts with Native Americans

Forms of resistance to slavery by Africans

Through covert forms like working slowly and overt forms like rebellions

Goal of the Puritans in New England

To establish a homogeneous community

Economy of New England

A mixed economy based on agriculture and trade