european exploration and colonization of north america

European Exploration and Colonization of North

America

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Colonies in North America

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The Spanish The Spanish explored the North American

continent for main reasons that are categorized as:• To find riches (Goods/Gold)• To spread religion, or Christianity (God)• To expand their empire (Glory)

They explored and eventually settled land in present-day Florida, Southwest United States, Mexico, and the islands in the Caribbean.

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The French

The French explored North America for these reasons:• In search of a water route through the New World

known as the Northwest Passage (all three European countries were in search of a faster, cheaper trade route to Asia)

• A source of wealth through fur trade with the Native Americans

• To convert Native Americans to Christianity

They explored Canada, the Louisiana Territory, and islands within the Caribbean; they eventually set up trading settlements and forts for protection of those settlements.

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The English The English explored North America for these reasons:

• In search of sources of wealth (gold)• Convert Native Americans to Christianity• Claim land for England• Search for trade routes• Freedom from religious persecution• Expansion of their empire and become competitive with other

powerful European nations such as Spain

England saw the North America’s natural resources as means for gaining wealth and international stature.

Explorers risked their lives for fame, curiosity, and pride for their nation.

The English Colonial Era will start in 1607 with the first permanent settlement at Jamestown by the Virginia Company. This success will lead to the founding of 13 colonies in America.

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Mercantilism Mercantilism is an economic theory

that states a nation becomes stronger by keeping strict control over its trade

It also states that a nation should have more exports than imports

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Founding of Jamestown Jamestown Virginia

• Founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company it was the first permanent English settlement in the United States.

• Founded out of English competition with Spain

• Island that was surrounded by the York River, the James River and Chesapeake Bay

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Problems with Jamestown the island was swampy, isolated,

offered limited space and was plagued by mosquitoes and brackish tidal river water unsuitable for drinking.

The first year was a struggle to say the least and many colonists died during the “starving time”

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Turn around of Jamestown Jamestown received help from

Pocahantes and Powhatten John Smith told colonists that they

had to work or they could not eat. He was also able to convince Native

Americans to trade with them.

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Virginia House of Burgesses

Created because they were sick of the harsh treatment by the governor of Virginia

First representative assembly in the American Colonies• Provided for more local control of

government• Passed laws to prevent royal governor from

gaining to much power. This was an important first step against tyranny.

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Founding of Plymouth Pilgrims were a seperatist goup that

was attacked by King James for rejecting the official church of England. • Fled England in search of Relegious freedom

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Founding of Plymouth 1620 the Mayflower landed on a site

called Plymouth

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Mayflower Compact For the sake of order all of the men

on board signed an agreement called the Mayflower Compact• They vowed to obey laws agreed upon for

the good of the colony. • This helped establish the idea of self-

government and majority rule.

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Plymouth Starving time

• During the first winter half of the group died.

Received help from native americans and were able to negotiate peace with local tribes• Tribes taught them to plant crops, hunt, and

fish

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Plymouth They began to trade fur with the

natives and started cutting timber to send back to the England to start making a profit

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Other seeds of Democracy Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• Created by the Thomas Hooker’s puritan congregation.

• Set of law were like a constitution Extended voting rights to non church members Limited the power of the governor Expanded the idea of representative

government

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Religion and its effect on the colonies and government

Many colonies were founded on the basis of religious freedom• Many of the religious groups that created

communities were self governing Quakers Puritans Pilgrims

• Pennsylvania was an experiment in the possibility of equality and citizens involved in government

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