Similarities Between The Spanish, British, And French Colonization Of North America

Jenna D’Ottavio
31 May 2014
Unit 1 Essay This essay will explain the differences and similarities among the Spanish, British, and French during the colonization of North America from 1519-1720s. The impacts on North and South America, as well as the peoples inhabiting both continents will be explained. The colonial leadership will be interpreted, as well as the relationships between other colonies. A major reason for exploration was the “Three G’s”. The first “G” is glory. The British, Spanish, and, French aspired to gain wealth and land. All three powers were determined to become the next world power. The second “G”, gold, would benefit the Spanish, British, and French economically. The colonies were in search for trade routes. The
One of the most important conquests was that of the Aztecs by Cortez in 1519. Cortez fabricated a disease when he first spoke to the Aztec Chieftain, Moctezuma. Cortez states, “We Spanish suffer from a strange disease of the heart, for which the only known remedy is gold.” (Kennedy, 18) The chieftain did not see through the lie, because he believed Hernan Cortes was the God Quetzalcoat.
Originally, both men and their people were hospitable to one another. Unfortunately, on the noche triste, “sad night,” of June 30, 1520, the Aztecs assailed upon the Spanish. Cortes retaliated on August 13, 1521, the same year that a smallpox epidemic devastates the Valley of Mexico. “The Aztec empire gave way to three centuries of Spanish rule.” (Kennedy, 19) The invasion did annihilate an entire population in Mexico, but it also brought the Spanish customs, horses, and religion.
The first permanent colonies in what became the United States are founded by Spain. St. Augustine, Florida is founded in 1565, and it was to protect the Spanish treasure fleets. Spanish soldiers came to the New World to help conquer and settle the Americans for Spain. The Spanish also settled in what is present-day coastal
Indians became valued for the pelts that they had to offer. They were considered training partners. The French were not exploitive to the Natives like the Spanish. The French were enemies with the Iroquois Indians, because they were a part of the British colonies, but they were amiable with the Huron Indians.
The English founded New Foundland in 1582, and Sir Walter Raleigh attempts to colonize off the coast of North Carolina in 1585. The Spanish Armada, delays the supplies to be taken to Roanoke until 1590. When the supplies finally arrive, the new settlers are unable to find any previous inhabitants. The only remaining notion of people residing there were the lonely buildings. It remains an unsolved mystery today; the only clue is “Croatoan” carved onto a fence post.
In 1607, the English colonize Jamestown in present day Virginia. The area the settlers inhabit is filthy, swampy, and full of mosquitoes. The forest was full of game, and the rivers were full of fish, but the men came there for the second “G”, gold. Many settlers died because they did not know how to fend for themselves. Luckily, John Smith, who was saved by Pocahontas, a member of the Powhatan tribe, functionalized Jamestown. He said, “He who shall not work shall not eat.”(28). Many colonists still lost their lives. Originally, Jamestown was known its trade market, later it would be known as a religious