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EuropeanLand Claims in North America
Directions:Use information from the text to label the land claimed in North America by Spain, France, and England.
After establishing initial settlements in the 1500-1600s along the east coast of North America;England, France, and Spain competed for empire. The amount of land they claimed increased over time. Spain claimed the land in present day Florida and much of the southwest. France claimed land between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. England claimed land along the Atlantic Ocean and extended west to the Appalachian Mountains. England also claimed much of the interior land of present day Canada.
Directions:Use information from the text to complete the chart describing European settlement of North America.
Spain established its colonies with the hope of finding precious metals to be shipped home. In Central and South America, the Spanish gathered treasure by defeating the Aztecs and Incas. Later, Spain would acquire gold and silver in Mexico and Peru. This treasure made Spain the richest nation in Europe. Large ranches and farms were also established. In conqueredterritory, the Spanish hoped to spread Christianity to the new world. As a Catholic country, Spain believed it was their duty to spread Catholicism. Missions were built as places where priests could teach Christianity to native people.
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The French also wanted to find gold or silver in the interior of the continent. Instead, they found valuable natural resources along the Ohio and MississippiRivers. By the rivers, settlers trapped beavers and sold their fur for high prices in Europe. As was the case with the Spanish, the French felt that it was their duty to convert the native population to Catholicism. French priests would travel with the fur trappers and live in the native communities in order to spread Christianity. Over time, the French built forts to protect their land claims and the trade routes for the furs collected.
Like the Spanish, the English hoped to find gold and silver in North America but were unsuccessful. Instead, they found land that was good for farming and bays and rivers rich with aquatic life. Many English colonists also wanted freedom to practice a religion of their choice rather than follow the Church of England. Colonists settling in the New England area farmed and fished to provide themselves with food. English settlers living further south were able to plant cash crops such as tobacco and rice, which could then be traded to England. Protestant ministers journeyed to North America in order to preach to the colonists and attempt to convert native people to Christianity. Over time, cities developed along the eastern seaboard, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Williamsburg, and Charles Town. These cities became centers of valuable trade between England and the colonies.
European Nation / Motive for Settlement / Type of Settlement Built / Goods Produced for Export / Benefit to European NationSpain / □Great
□ Some
□ Little
France / □ Great
□ Some
□ Little
England / □ Great
□ Some
□ Little
2006-07U2-1