Answer:
Most of the colonies were established by royal char- ter. Earliest settlements were in Virginia and Massachusetts but soon spread all along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Georgia, and into the continent’s interior as far as the Mississippi River.
Colonists were recruited from among middle-class farmers, artisans, and tradesmen. Indentured servants, spe- cialists in certain areas (i.e., sawmill workers, lumbermen), and convicted criminals were also brought over. Immigrants from other countries were welcomed.
Distance from England and a frugal Parliament allowed colonists to set up local governments and representative assemblies and to tax themselves, as long as they did not take up arms against the Crown.
Largely non-Catholics. Although some tolerance was practiced in most colonies, the Puritans in Massachusetts established an autocratic and restrictive religious leadership. Pennsylvania man- dated complete tolerance.
Diverse economic activities included farming, fishing, and trading. Exports included tobacco, rice, timber, and fish. Tobacco was the main source of rev- enue in the Virginia and North Carolina colonies.
Rapid growth due to liberal immigration policies. By 1627 Virginia had approxi- mately 1,000 settlers. By 1754 total population in the English colonies had grown to 1.5 million; this included large proportions of German and French.
French Colonies
First colonies were trading posts in Newfoundland; others followed in wake of exploration of the St. Lawrence valley, parts of Canada, and the Mississippi River. Settlements include Quebec (1608) and Montreal (1642). Louisiana settled in the late 1600s.
Initially fur traders, merchants, and mis- sionaries. In 1665 some 1100 French soldiers arrived and were given land. Neither Protestants nor peasant farmers were allowed to emigrate.
Colonies were fully subject to the French king. There were no political rights or representative government, and public meetings could not be held without per- mission.
Even though Protestants had played a role in the founding of New France, from around 1659 on they were excluded from the colony. Colonial life was largely controlled by the French Catholic clergy.
Although the French government encour- aged farming efforts, the fur trade proved to be more lucrative. Plantations established in the Mississippi valley largely failed.
Slow growth; by 1672 no more than 5,000 colonists had settled throughout New France. In Canada the French pop- ulation totaled just under 40,000 by 1734. In Louisiana, by 1763 there were approximately 10,000 settlers, including 5,000 slaves and Acadians.
Despite conversion efforts of missionar- ies, French respect for Native Americans allowed many to forge alliances, espe- cially in their wars against the British.
Spanish Colonies
Crown-sponsored conquests gained rich- es for Spain and expanded its empire. Most of the southern and southwestern regions claimed, as well as sections of the California coast. Settlements include St. Augustine, Florida (1565); Santa Fe, New Mexico (1610); and numerous cities in Texas and California.
Conquistadores, soldiers, and mission- aries were the primary Spanish coloniz- ers; farmers and traders came later.
Colonies were governed by crown- appointed viceroys or governors. Settlers had to obey the king’s laws and could make none of their own.
Settlers were restricted to Catholics; Protestants were persecuted and driven out.
Largely a trading economy; some farm- ing in the West. Commerce was con- trolled by the Spanish board of trade, with regulations enforced by the Spanish military.
Slow growth due to greater emphasis on military conquest, poor relations with Native Americans, and numerous early failures to establish permanent settle- ments. Largest Spanish populations were in Florida, Texas, California, and Mexico.
Originally friendly; early colonists relied on Native Americans for trade and for help with survival. Eventually greed for land led to major conflicts with Indians.
Spanish missionaries saw Native Americans as heathens to be converted to Christianity; soldiers viewed them as fit only for killing or subjugation.
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