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 !!!!!