Period Two: European Settlement in North America

The French were more interested in trade than conquest.
The French established trading relationships and networks with Native Americans.
The French traded furs and American fish with the Native Americans.
Few French men and women settled in North America during this time due to reports about severe winters and short growing seasons. However, many Catholic nuns and priests did migrate to North America.
The few permanent French settlements that existed were populated by fisherman, fur traders, and Catholic missionaries
The French moved further west in search of new sources of furs. They brought diseases into these new areas and ignited warfare among native groups.
Some French men married Native women, which led to alliances that between the French traders and Native Americans. These alliances led to cultural exchanges and mutual adaptation.

The Dutch interest in North America was primarily economic and they had little interest in bringing religion to the Native Americans.
Dutch traders established relationships with some Native Americans, especially the Mohawk. The Dutch traded furs in exchange for guns with the Mohawks.
New Amsterdam became the economic centerpiece of the New Netherland colony.
New Amsterdam attracted a diverse community of traders, fisherman, and farmers. As the colony grew, it developed a representative government and was known for its religious toleration.
As the Dutch settlements moved further up Manhattan Island, the Dutch stole land and demanded tribute from Algonquian-speaking Native Americans. This led to sporadic warfare that lasted for twenty years

Dutch Settlement Ends:

Stories of the warfare between the Dutch and the Algonquians made it back to the Netherlands and slowed migration to the colony.
The Dutch were weakened from fighting the British in Europe weakened Dutch power in North America. The English took New Amsterdam by force in 1664.

The Spanish were interested in expanding their empire northward beyond Mexico. However, the French, Dutch, and English challenged Spain for North American colonies.
The Spanish had few resources to protect their northern and eastern frontiers
Spanish settlement developed slowly in North America as a result of limited mineral resources and strong opposition from Native Americans
Only a few settlements were established as the Spanish found little silver and gold and a declining native population due to wars and disease
The Spanish developed settlements in Florida, California, and California