1. Founding the Colonies
Compare various European settlements in North America in terms of economic activities, religion, government, and lifestyles (4-2.2)

2. Comparing European Settlements
Compare various European settlements in North America in terms of economic activities, religion, government, and lifestyles (4-2.2)
European countries, like France, Spain, and England competed to establish colonies in the New World. While England sent colonists to settle in places like Jamestown, Plymouth, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony, France and Spain worked at establishing their own colonies.

3. French Colonies
The king of France heard stories of explorers finding gold and sent colonists to Florida to establish a base in North America so they would have a place to keep supplies while they were searching for riches.
After fighting with the Spanish (and losing) the French moved North to the area now known as Canada.

4. French Colonies
The French were very successful in Canada. They did not find gold but they found fur. Animal pelts made them very wealthy traders.
They made friends with some of the Native American tribes of the region. The Native Americans showed the French how to survive in the wilderness.
Unfortunately, they did not make friends with the Iroquois Confederacy. They had many fights with the Iroquois.

5. Spanish Colonies
Spain was also looking for riches in North America. They settled in Florida, founding the city of St. Augustine and forcing out the French.
The Spanish continued to move deeper into the southern and southwestern parts of North American. They also founded Santa Fe, New Mexico.

6. Comparing European Settlements

7. Comparing European Settlements
Government
English Colonies
French Colonies
Spanish Colonies
England had a tradition of representation in Parliament, so they allowed their colonies some Self-Government.
France had a king, so very little self government was allowed in the colonies.
Spain had a king, so very little self government was allowed in the colonies.

8. Comparing European Settlements
Religion
Religion was an important reason why many people came to the New World. Some of the colonists came because they couldn’t practice their religion freely in their country.
English Colonies
French Colonies
Spanish Colonies
Most French settlers were Catholic. French settlers tried to convert Native Americans to Catholicism.
Sometimes a few different religious groups would make up a colony. Some religions included: Anglicans, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Quakers, Catholics, Protestants, and Puritans.
Some colonies were tolerant of all religions and some were not tolerant of people with other religious ideas.
Most Spanish settlers were Catholic. Spanish settlers tried to convert Native Americans to Catholicism.

9. Comparing European Settlements
Economic Activities
(How they made money)
English Colonies
English colonies produced for themselves and cash crops to export to Europe. Cash crops included tobacco, rice, indigo, and timber.
French Colonies
French Colonies could not make a living just from farming. The soil in this region was not very good for growing crops. French settlers made a living by becoming fur traders. Europeans were eager to buy bear skins, beaver pelts, and moose hides.
Spanish Colonies
Spanish colonies had very large farms where they grew cash crops so they could send them to Europe to be sold.

10. Comparing European Settlements
Lifestyle
English Colonies
French Colonies
Spanish Colonies
Children received enough education to read and write. Young boys would learn trades through apprenticeships.
France was welcomed by the Native Americans and developed a fur trade.
Spain established missions, forts, and ranches and were very self-sufficient.