This section covers the following topics

• The early French, British, Spanish and Dutch colonies
• The Restoration Colonies
• Unrest in French, Spanish and English colonies
• The growth of slavery and the slave trade
• Interaction between the colonies and Europe
• Life in the colonies
• The Great Awakening

Section Summary

Spain, France, the Netherlands and England all founded colonies in North America. Spain came first, establishing a major presence in New Mexico, where they enslaved and robbed the natives under the Encomienda System. The French had a much smaller impact through their colonies, which were near the present US-Canadian border. English colonies, such as the Massachusetts Bay (which, in conjunction with Maryland is referred to as The Chesapeake) and New England colonies were much more successful due to high levels of immigration. Immigrants received land upon arrival under the Headright system. Religion was very important in the New England colony, as it was founded by separatist Puritans. Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams were both exiled from the colony for their religious beliefs. Each of the colonies went through periods of upheaval: namely through the Pueblo Revolt, King Philip’s War, France’s war with the Iroquois and Bacon’s Rebellion. One of the first events to unite the English colonies was the Great Awakening, in which George Whitefield orchestrated a protestant revival across the continent. Slavery also developed in the English colonies, facilitated by the Triangular Trade between Europe, Africa and America. The English colonies were only loosely controlled by Great Britain, although the Crown did attempt to regulate trade through the Navigation Acts. The English and French clashed in King William’s War, Queen Anne’s War and King George’s War.

Early Colonies

Prior to European contact, various Native American cultures flourished in North and South America. These peoples, who the explorer Christopher Columbus mistakenly... Sign up to continue reading First Contact and Colonization >

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