COLONIZATION AND SETTLEMENT (1585–1763)
English, French, and Spanish Colonies: A Comparison
© Media Projects Incorporated Published by Facts on File Inc. All electronic storage, reproduction, or transmittal is copyright protected by the publisher
English, French, and Spanish Colonies: A Comparison
THE HISTORY OF COLONIAL NORTH AMERICA centers
primarily around the struggle of England, France, and
Spain to gain control of the continent. Settlers
crossed the Atlantic for different reasons, and their
governments took different approaches to their colonizing
efforts. These differences created both advantages
and disadvantages that profoundly affected the
New World’s fate. France and Spain, for instance,
were governed by autocratic sovereigns whose rule
was absolute; their colonists went to America as servants
of the Crown. The English colonists, on the
other hand, enjoyed far more freedom and were able
to govern themselves as long as they followed English
law and were loyal to the king. In addition, unlike
France and Spain, England encouraged immigration
from other nations, thus boosting its colonial population.
By 1763 the English had established dominance
in North America, having defeated France and Spain
in the French and Indian War. However, those
regions that had been colonized by the French or
Spanish would retain national characteristics that
linger to this day.
Settlements/Geography:
English Colonies
Most colonies established by royal charter. Earliest settlements were in Virginia and Massachusetts but soon spread all along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Georgia, and into the continent’s interior as far as the Mississippi River.
French Colonies
First colonies were trading posts in Newfoundland; others followed in wake of exploration of the St. Lawrence valley, parts of Canada, and the Mississippi River. Settlements include Quebec (1608) and Montreal (1642). Louisiana settled in the late 1600s.
Spanish Colonies
Crown-sponsored conquests gained riches for Spain and expanded its empire. Most of the southern and southwestern regions claimed, as well as sections of the California coast. Settlements include St. Augustine, Florida (1565); Santa Fe, New Mexico (1610); and numerous cities in Texas and California.
Population Sources:
English Colonies
Colonists were recruited from among middle-class farmers, artisans, and tradesmen. Indentured servants, specialists in certain areas (i.e., sawmill workers, lumbermen), and convicted criminals were also brought over. Immigrants from other countries were welcomed.
French Colonies
Initially fur traders, merchants, and missionaries. In 1665 some 1100 French soldiers arrived and were given land. Neither Protestants nor peasant farmers were allowed to emigrate.
Spanish Colonies
Conquistadores, soldiers, and missionaries were the primary Spanish colonizers; farmers and traders came later.
Government:
English Colonies
Distance from England and a frugal Parliament allowed colonists to set up local governments and representative assemblies and to tax themselves, as long as they did not take up arms against the Crown.
French Colonies
Colonies were fully subject to the French king. There were no political rights or representative government, and public meetings could not be held without permission.
Spanish Colonies
Colonies were governed by crownappointed viceroys or governors. Settlers had to obey the king’s laws and could make none of their own.
Religion:
English Colonies
Largely non-Catholics. Although some tolerance was practiced in most colonies, the Puritans in Massachusetts established an autocratic and restrictive religious leadership. Pennsylvania mandated complete tolerance.
French Colonies
Even though Protestants had played a role in the founding of New France, from around 1659 on they were excluded from the colony. Colonial life was largely controlled by the French Catholic clergy.
Spanish Colonies
Settlers were restricted to Catholics; Protestants were persecuted and driven out.
Economy:
English Colonies
Diverse economic activities included farming, fishing, and trading. Exports included tobacco, rice, timber, and fish. Tobacco was the main source of revenue in the Virginia and North Carolina colonies.
French Colonies
Although the French government encouraged farming efforts, the fur trade proved to be more lucrative. Plantations established in the Mississippi valley largely failed.
Spanish Colonies
Largely a trading economy; some farming in the West. Commerce was controlled by the Spanish board of trade, with regulations enforced by the Spanish military.
Population Growth:
English Colonies
Rapid growth due to liberal immigration policies. By 1627 Virginia had approximately 1,000 settlers. By 1754 total population in the English colonies had grown to 1.5 million; this included large proportions of German and French.
French Colonies
Slow growth; by 1672 no more than 5,000 colonists had settled throughout New France. In Canada the French population totaled just under 40,000 by 1734. In Louisiana, by 1763 there were approximately 10,000 settlers, including 5,000 slaves and Acadians.
Spanish Colonies
Slow growth due to greater emphasis on military conquest, poor relations with Native Americans, and numerous early failures to establish permanent settlements. Largest Spanish populations were in Florida, Texas, California, and Mexico.
Relations with Native Americans:
English Colonies:
Originally friendly; early colonists relied on Native Americans for trade and for help with survival. Eventually greed for land led to major conflicts with Indians.
French Colonies:
Despite conversion efforts of missionaries, French respect for Native Americans allowed many to forge alliances, especially in their wars against the British.
Spanish Colonies:
Spanish missionaries saw Native Americans as heathens to be converted to Christianity; soldiers viewed them as fit only for killing or subjugation.
Settlements/Geography:
English Colonies
Most colonies established by royal charter. Earliest settlements were in Virginia and Massachusetts but soon spread all along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Georgia, and into the continent’s interior as far as the Mississippi River.
French Colonies
First colonies were trading posts in Newfoundland; others followed in wake of exploration of the St. Lawrence valley, parts of Canada, and the Mississippi River. Settlements include Quebec (1608) and Montreal (1642). Louisiana settled in the late 1600s.
Spanish Colonies
Crown-sponsored conquests gained riches for Spain and expanded its empire. Most of the southern and southwestern regions claimed, as well as sections of the California coast. Settlements include St. Augustine, Florida (1565); Santa Fe, New Mexico (1610); and numerous cities in Texas and California.
Population Sources:
English Colonies
Colonists were recruited from among middle-class farmers, artisans, and tradesmen. Indentured servants, specialists in certain areas (i.e., sawmill workers, lumbermen), and convicted criminals were also brought over. Immigrants from other countries were welcomed.
French Colonies
Initially fur traders, merchants, and missionaries. In 1665 some 1100 French soldiers arrived and were given land. Neither Protestants nor peasant farmers were allowed to emigrate.
Spanish Colonies
Conquistadores, soldiers, and missionaries were the primary Spanish colonizers; farmers and traders came later.
Government:
English Colonies
Distance from England and a frugal Parliament allowed colonists to set up local governments and representative assemblies and to tax themselves, as long as they did not take up arms against the Crown.
French Colonies
Colonies were fully subject to the French king. There were no political rights or representative government, and public meetings could not be held without permission.
Spanish Colonies
Colonies were governed by crownappointed viceroys or governors. Settlers had to obey the king’s laws and could make none of their own.
Religion:
English Colonies
Largely non-Catholics. Although some tolerance was practiced in most colonies, the Puritans in Massachusetts established an autocratic and restrictive religious leadership. Pennsylvania mandated complete tolerance.
French Colonies
Even though Protestants had played a role in the founding of New France, from around 1659 on they were excluded from the colony. Colonial life was largely controlled by the French Catholic clergy.
Spanish Colonies
Settlers were restricted to Catholics; Protestants were persecuted and driven out.
Economy:
English Colonies
Diverse economic activities included farming, fishing, and trading. Exports included tobacco, rice, timber, and fish. Tobacco was the main source of revenue in the Virginia and North Carolina colonies.
French Colonies
Although the French government encouraged farming efforts, the fur trade proved to be more lucrative. Plantations established in the Mississippi valley largely failed.
Spanish Colonies
Largely a trading economy; some farming in the West. Commerce was controlled by the Spanish board of trade, with regulations enforced by the Spanish military.
Population Growth:
English Colonies
Rapid growth due to liberal immigration policies. By 1627 Virginia had approximately 1,000 settlers. By 1754 total population in the English colonies had grown to 1.5 million; this included large proportions of German and French.
French Colonies
Slow growth; by 1672 no more than 5,000 colonists had settled throughout New France. In Canada the French population totaled just under 40,000 by 1734. In Louisiana, by 1763 there were approximately 10,000 settlers, including 5,000 slaves and Acadians.
Spanish Colonies
Slow growth due to greater emphasis on military conquest, poor relations with Native Americans, and numerous early failures to establish permanent settlements. Largest Spanish populations were in Florida, Texas, California, and Mexico.
Relations with Native Americans:
English Colonies:
Originally friendly; early colonists relied on Native Americans for trade and for help with survival. Eventually greed for land led to major conflicts with Indians.
French Colonies:
Despite conversion efforts of missionaries, French respect for Native Americans allowed many to forge alliances, especially in their wars against the British.
Spanish Colonies:
Spanish missionaries saw Native Americans as heathens to be converted to Christianity; soldiers viewed them as fit only for killing or subjugation.
© Media Projects Incorporated Published by Facts on File Inc. All electronic storage, reproduction, or transmittal is copyright protected by the publisher
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