France was <u>under autocratic rule</u> and its colonists had to report to the Crown when they went to America. Furthermore, they <u>had to involve the Crown before making any decisions. </u>
Conversely, <u>British colonists had more freedom than the French</u> and were allowed to self-govern, provided that they pledged their loyalty to the king. The French colonies were<u> influenced by the Catholic clergy</u>, while British colonies were <u>mainly influenced by the Puritans, who were not Catholic.</u>