European powers sought to establish colonies in North America during this time period. France, England, and the Netherlands were the three main competitors. France established fur trading posts and many cities starting in the 1500s, building a large North American empire by the 1700s. England's first permanent colony was Jamestown, founded in 1607, though it faced early hardships before establishing tobacco as a cash crop. The New England colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay were founded starting in 1620 primarily for religious freedom. The Dutch also founded New Netherlands along the Hudson River in 1609 before being driven out by the English in 1664.

1. American History: Unit 1 Lecture
2
European Powers Carve
Up North America

2. Competition for North America
- Spain is establishing an empire in Latin
America (and parts of North America!)
- Other European nations want to establish
colonies in the New World – Especially in
North America
- 3 Main Competitors:
England
France
The Netherlands

3. Early Exploration of North America
• 3 countries will attempt to colonize North
America:
1. France
2. England
3. The Netherlands
How does it start?
Magellan's trip had shown these nations that it was
possible to sail West to Asia - they set out to find a
route in the North.

4. French Efforts
• French explorers began looking for a
"Northwest Passage" in the early 1500's.
• Fail to find a passage in the North, but they
began exploring the American continent.
• 1673, explorer La Salle explores the
Mississippi and claims the whole river valley
for France.
• Calls it "Louisiana" in honor of French King
Louis XIV

5. French Efforts
• By the mid 1700's,
France had established
an empire in North
America
• French colonists were
mostly male –
interested in trade, not
farming.
• Biggest activity -FUR
TRADE

6. French Efforts
1

7. French Efforts
• French usually got along well with Native
Americans
• Fur Trade profited both groups
• Founded many North American cities - often
as small forts or trading posts
• Montreal, Quebec, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis,
New Orleans all started as French
Settlements!

8. Cities Founded by the French

9. English Efforts
• French and Spanish exploration inspires English King James
• Failure at Roanoke – Walter Raleigh’s LOST COLONY – 1585
– Virginia Dare – 1st English child born in the New World
• King gives a charter to a group of English investors to start a
new colony in Virginia
• First permanent English Colony in Americas is founded in
1607
JAMESTOWN

10. Jamestown
Colonists at Jamestown
faced many struggles
Click on the coin below for an 8 minute video on “The
Starving Time”
Most did not want to work interested in getting rich
Disease and starvation were
widespread
John Smith – Important
leader during Starving Time
2

11. Jamestown
1612, Colonists first plant important CASH CROP:
TOBACCO
• Becomes popular in England, saves the colony
• Marriage of Indian Chief's daughter, Pocahontas,
to leader John Rolfe, keeps the peace
• 1619, FIRST REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT in
the new world meets here. --> HOUSE OF
BURGESSES

12. New England Colonies
• 1620 - PILGRIMS
founded 2nd English
Colony at Plymouth,
Massachusetts
• Followed in 1630 by the
PURITANS
• Both of these groups
were seeking religious
freedom in the New
World

13. Jamestown vs. New England Colonies
Key Difference:
• Jamestown was founded for
profit...
• New England Colonies were
founded for religious reasons.

14. The Dutch
The Dutch
• 1609 - Henry Hudson explores for the
Netherlands
• Sails into Hudson Bay and up Hudson River
• Dutch founded New Netherlands and set up
fur trade
• Allow settlers from many areas

15. The Dutch Make An Exit
• 1664, English drive the Dutch from New
Netherlands
• Rename the city New York
• take control of the East coast except for
Florida

16. 1. From http://ns1763.ca/remem/7yw-timelinew.html
2. From Discovery Channel Education