Question

Describe how the english colonists differed from the dutch and the french in their interactions with native americans.

Answer 1

English, Dutch and French contact with the natives was inevitable. However, each group treated natives differently. The English were concerned with placement of its excess population and in securing the flow of raw materials back to the homeland. They expected the colonists to bolster England’s Economy with demands for manufactured goods. In order for them to meet these goals, the colonists were encouraged to make permanent agricultural settlements. This created a conflict between the English and the Natives since the lands they were colonizing where already inhabited. The English considered the Natives to be primitive and inferior themselves so they tried to enslave or eradicate the natives. On the other hand, the French were more concerned with controlling trade routes with furs being the driving force. They and the Native held a good relationship. Thus, French came to America mainly for the fur trade which the Natives was already doing. So instead of being competitors over living space they were partners in trade. They acknowledged that there were many things that the Natives knew better than they did. They treated the natives as equal partners to help bolster trade.