Post on 11-Jan-2016
EUROPEAN CONTROL IN AMERICA
THE MARCH TOWARD BRITISH HEGEMONY
“political, cultural, legal, and economic dominance
In what will be the USA:
• Spanish -Southwest and Florida
• French- Great Lakes
• Dutch - New York Hudson River Valley
• Russian - Alaska, Washington State
• Sweden – Southern New Jersey and Delaware
… but in the end, it all goes British
The 2 Runners Up
SPAIN• 1565 St. Augustine, Fla
– Defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 prevents further movement north into Carolinas.
– Free to explore and exploit the Southwest: Arizona, California, New Mexico
– Looking for more gold:• El Dorado
France• Quebec City 1599
– Travel down St. Lawrence River into the Great Lakes and Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys
– Looking for the Northwest Passage – water route thru America to the Pacific and Asia
2 Runners Up
Philosophy: Conquest and Exploitation
• Conquistadors• Missionaries: OFM, OP, SJ• Ecomienda System the trustee system based on: Christianity & Capitalism but with
Slavery/abuse.CREOLES: American born Euros get too
independent developed cattle industry Madrid government introduces: VICEROY Presidio: fort and government house Hacienda: plantation/ranch
Philosophy: Whatever
• Seigneuries• Missionaries: SJ• Voyageurs
– Euro/Native fur trappers– Importance of the fur
industry: worth $BILLIONS !
• The RENDEVOUS– The seasonal meeting
between the trappers and the traders
2 Runners Up
Spanish Weakness• Too many other cultures:
– Native– African– American/Creole
– As late as 1840 – only 15,000 Euros north of Mexico city
– Hispanic culture is Native with African and Spanish touches
French Weakness• Too few of anybody
• few tribes to exploit• No need to exploit: fur trade• French only cared about
France• English will kick their butt in
three wars !– King William– King Anne– King George– French and Indian
BRITAIN WINS - Despite doing nothing really in Americas for over 100 years !?
• 1496 John Cabot claims all of North America for the British King• 1587 – failed attempt on Roanoke Island off the coast of NC
• 1607 Jamestown founded in Virginia• 1620 Plymouth colony in Massachuesetts
…. And the rest is history !
BUT WHY DOES BRITAIN WIN IT ALL?
1. Greater Population Growtha. Good natural resourcesb. Moderate climatec. Desire for labord. Early and often marriage
2. Land Distribution more land more people more land
HEADRIGHT System
3. Government Policy: Takin Care of Bidness a. tobacco and other cash crops encouraged and protected by government laws b. Slavery introduced in 1619 in Va c. “surplus” populations sent to America as indentured servants
4. Conquest militarily defeat the Tribes… Dutch…Swedes… Spanish… and French
By 1763 not only is all of North America British, but huge chunks of the world are dominated by British trade and military power !!!!!