European Settlement of North America

1. European Settlement of North America U. S. History Unit 2

2. Georgia Performance Standards • SSUSH1: describe European settlement in North America during the 17th century. • SSUSH2: trace the ways that the economy and society of British North America developed.

3. Essential Question • How were economy, culture, and development of the English colonies affected by geographic location?

4. Mercantilism • What is it?: An economic system that ties the power of a nation to the total wealth of a nation. • Wealth is measured in gold and silver only • The wealth is accumulated by a favorable balance of trade (more exports than imports) • Exploration and colonization designed to bring in wealth

5. Mercantilism • Colonies brought in wealth to the mother country by exporting gold and silver to the mother country and/or provide raw materials that could not be found in the mother country • Mother country was not dependant to any other country, would not trade with other countries • All manufacturing took place in the mother country • The government could pass any regulations or tax to ensure a positive balance of trade.

6. The French • Who: merchants, explorers, priests • Where: the northern part of North America in what is now Canada (Quebec), around the Great Lakes, and down the Mississippi to New Orleans • Why: to acquire an empire in the new world, to gain goods to sell for wealth…fur, to spread Catholicism

7. The French • Called New France, the French Colonies were small because of a lack of gold, limited immigration, and a lack of an interest in farming and settlement. • They just wanted to use the land for wealth. • There were few settlements and no self-government.

8. The Spanish • Who: government officials, soldiers, noblemen, merchants, men looking for adventure (explorers), and missionaries • Where: Southern North America, Central America, South America • Why: to get wealth (gold and silver), to get products to sell for gold and silver, to spread Catholicism

9. The Spanish • Built towns and got gold from the area • No self-government; colonial governors had absolute power • Decline: The Spanish Armada was defeated by the English in 1588. Spain’s power slowly declined and by the 1700s they had lost most of its power in North America.

10. The English • Who: people looking for a new start and merchants sponsored by the government • Where: between the French in the North and the Spanish in the South • Why: the people: religious freedom, escaped government tyrannies, land, social mobility, to escape economic prosecution • Why: the government: to gain a colonial empire to become a world power, to gain wealth through gold, silver, raw materials, and a market for finished goods.

11. The English • English colonies were set up by Joint Stock Companies. Charters were granted by the king. • Colonies had a measure of self-government through its charter. People were recruited to work and settle the colonies. In exchange for a stated time of service, the company paid the passage costs.

12. Map of Settlements