Struggles for New World Domination

1. Struggles for New World Domination Spain, France, the Dutch, and England: 1540-1680

2. Introduction • As Spain consolidates its empire in the New World, other European powers enter the stage of competition for territory in the New World • These will include France, the Dutch, and the English • In many of this instances, the antagonisms of the Old World will be transferred to the New World • Still, out that crucible will be created new opportunities and cultures that will establish themselves in the New World • And thus the process of creating “America” begins

3. Governing Spain’s Empire • The Spanish Empire was officially the private property of the King • Rule by Viceroys • The conquistadores • The encomienda system

4. Governing Spain’s Empire • Whether the Spanish conquests was praised or scorned, it dramatically changed the lives of native populations • Creation of mixed mestizo (Indian-European) and mulatto (African-European) populations • Religious objectives and policies also had unintended results in the Spanish empire • Creation of a creole, or mixed Spanish and Indian culture, with Spanish customs

5. Governing Spain’s Empire:New Mexico • The establishment of New Mexico and missionary activity • Juan de Oñate • First Governor of New Mexico • Goal • Recall • Spanish relations with the Pueblos • Popé rebellion • However, not all the Pueblos held the Spanish in contempt • Only with the coming of the 18th century was there a peaceful mixing of Pueblo and Catholic cultures

6. The French in the New World • By the middle of the 16th century, France joined the fray of establishing colonies in the New World • However, these new colonies would remain far more sparsely settled than Spain’s – Why? • The first French settlement was established by the Huguenot Jean Ribault at Parris Island - Failed • Two years later, another French expedition established a settlement on the St. Johns River, near present day Jacksonville

7. The French in the New World • The French were more successful in the north along the coastlines of Newfoundland, Labrador, and Nova Scotia • Here fishermen and trappers established a tenuous presence • Help to Giovanni da Verrazzano • During Jacques Cartier’s three voyages between 1534 and 1543 along the St. Lawrence River, he was accompanied by fishermen as well

8. The French in the New World • If anything can define the French presence in North America, it is the fur trade • Canada’s Micmac and Montagnais Indians were enthusiastic about trading their furs for European ironwares, cloth and glass trinkets • This was especially the case after Cartier’s first trading post was established in 1541

9. The French in the New World • By the late 1500’s, the French government sponsored a more aggressive exploration of Canada • In 1604, Samuel de Champlain began a series of eleven voyages to Canada • Goal was to create a religious haven for Catholics and Huguenots suffering in France

10. The French in the New World • No more than 2,000 French settlers come to New France before 1663 • Thereafter, the French government takes direct control over New France and establishes a military-style leadership in the major cities of Montreal, Quebec and Three Rivers • Meanwhile, intrepid souls will migrate down the Mississippi River • Name new settlements after renowned trappers such as Louis Jolliet and the missionary Jacques Marquette • They also transplant wheat-based economies to the fertile valleys near the former site of Cahokia

11. The French in the New World: Sieur de La Salle • La Salle’s main goal is to seek the elusive northwest passage to the Pacific • In 1682, La Salle will claim for France nearly all of the interior of North America • Calls it Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV • Later expeditions and death • Although it had a promising beginning, Louisiana becomes little more than a dumping ground for criminals and desperately poor Frenchmen • Very few Frenchmen settle there, instead heading for the warm and prosperous Caribbean islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Dominique

12. The Dutch Colonies • North America had never been a major target of conquest and colonization for the Netherlands • However, this did not mean that Dutch trappers and fishermen competed with the French to find a passage through the continent to find the East Indies • 1609 – Voyages of Henry Hudson

13. The Dutch Colonies • Foundation of Fort Nassau near present-day Albany (1614) • Founding of Dutch West India Company, 1621, to finance ventures to settle the new areas • The Company also authorizes Pierre Minuit to purchase the island of Manhattan from Native Americans in 1626 • Minuit assumes leadership of the struggling settlement and recruits Protestant families to the town of New Amsterdam on Manhattan

14. The Dutch Colonies:New Netherlands: Problems • However, the fledgling colony of New Netherlands gets off to a slow start • Problems with colonists • Problems settling the Land • Patronen • Bouweries • Conflict with the Indians • Land grabs • Conflict between the Dutch/Iroquois and French/Huron over fur trade

15. The Dutch Colonies:New Sweden • Formation of New Sweden • Led by Minuit • Launched in 1638 with four hundred Swedish Protestants • Settle near the site of Fort Christina • Pieter Stuyvesant leads expedition against New Sweden and the small colony accepts leadership from New Amsterdam • But, the peace in New Amsterdam will not be kept for very long

16. Early English Exploration • First expedition launched in 1497 • Voyages of John Cabot and discovery of “newe founde lande” • But for the next century English leaders do little to advance Cabot’s slim inroads in the New World

17. Early English Exploration:Reasons • In the mid-16th century that changes – Why? • Population pressure in England • London’s population increases from 55,000 in 1550 to 200,000 in 1600 • The demands of such a large population overtaxes the resources of the city and officials wish to rid themselves of these unwanted • Economic difficulties – merchants and manufacturers need markets abroad

18. Early English Exploration:Reasons • But the real impetus for the renewed efforts for exploration was political • Queen Elizabeth’s rivalry with foreign powers, especially Spain • The Sea Dogs

19. Early English Exploration:First Attempts • In 1578, Sir Humphrey Gilbert convinces Elizabeth to grant him a charter to take settles to the lands claimed by Cabot • Five years later, Gilbert takes three shiploads of settles to Newfoundland, but most of them will return home • During his third voyage out to stock the new settlements, Gilbert and his ship are lost at sea

20. Early English Exploration:First Attempts • With Gilbert’s loss, his half-brother, Sir Walter Ralegh assumes the rights of the royal charter to explore North America • In late 1584, Ralegh's first commissioned ship sails past the West Indies and to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Roanoke Island

21. Early English Exploration:Roanoke Island • The new settlement survives the winter, but situated within a dense area of Indian settlements, their presence causes suspicions among the Indians • Conflict between the English and the Indians • Ralegh does not give up on settling Roanoke and arrives with a fourth group of settlers in 1587

22. Early English Exploration:Roanoke Island • However, Roanoke’s collective fate was tied to events back in England in 1588 and success at Roanoke would elude this group as well • John White, returning to England for supplies, was detained as his ship was needed – Why? • The Spanish Armada

23. Early English Exploration:Roanoke Island – The Lost Colony • When John White returns to Roanoke in 1590, he finds a “Lost Colony” • Believed fate of the colony • Whatever their fate, there was only one trace of the former colony - “Croatoan” • And so ended the early attempts by the English to settle the New World

24. Conclusion • We have seen the process of exploration and colonization through eyes other than Spanish • Although their entry came late in the New World, over the next decade France, the Dutch and the English will dominate the colonization of North America • Of these three, it will be the English, with their greater naval power and increasing economic strength, that will overcome its neighbors and become the primary colonial power in North America