APUSH CFU: Differences + Similarities Between English, French, and Spanish Colonies

French Colonies - Economy

Lucrative fur trade, some farming but it was not as prosperous - most plantations set up in Miss. Valley failed

Similarities - Overall Religious Persecution

All colonies reviled a specific subset of religion - for French and Spanish it was Protestants, for English it was Catholics (*it's important to note that the Irish were Catholics). All hated religious groups were excluded from colonies

Similarities - French and Spanish Colonies - Governing

Both colonies had little to no political freedom and were subject entirely to the laws and regulations of the Crown

Similarities - French and Spanish Colonies - Population Growth

Both colonies struggled to attract settlers, though not for the same reasons: French - government did not encourage immigration to NF, cold climate discouraged settlers Spanish - focus was more on conquering land than settling it, relationship w/NAs was not good, historically did not have prosperous settlements in America

Similarities - French and Spanish Colonies - Religion

Both settled w/an aspect of proselytization; Spanish "Gold and G-d," wanted to convert as many NAs to Xianity as possibly while conquering as much land as they could; French settled to trade but also attempted to Xianize NAs - particularly Huron NAs

Spanish Colonies - Religion

Catholics only; Protestants were persecuted and purged from colony

English Colonies - Settlement/Geography

Colonies were established by royal charter Settlements began in Virginia and Massachusetts but spread along the east coast from Maine to Georgia and as far in as the Miss. River

English Colonies - Government

Colonists set up local governments and representative assemblies. They were allowed to tax themselves so long as they never rebelled against the Crown

Spanish Colonies - Population

Conquistadores, soldiers, missionaries, later came farmers and traders

Spanish Colonies - Settlement/Geography

Crown-sponsored conquests made money for Spain and expanded empire; the south and southwest were claimed as well as parts of California. Settlements: St. Augustine, Florida (1565); Santa Fe, NM (1610); cities in TX and CA

French Colonies - Religion

Despite Protestants being integral to the founding of New France, they were excluded from the colony in 1659. Mostly French-Catholic

Spanish Colonies - Economy

Economy mostly functioned on trade, though there was some farming in the West; Spanish Board of Trade controlled commerce, regulations were enforced by Spanish military

Spanish Colonies - Population Growth

Extreme focus on military conquest, poor relations w/NAs, and a poor track record of successful settlements stunted population growth. Largest populations existed in FL, TX, CA, and MX

English Colonies - Economy

Farming, fishing, trading Exports - tobacco, rice, timber, fish *Tobacco was main cash crop in Virginia and NC colonies

French Colonies - Relationship w/Native Americans

French had more respect generally for NAs than English or Spanish colonists did, which allowed them to form alliances against British; though they did try to convert some NAs

French Colonies - Population

Fur traders, merchants, missionaries, French soldiers Protestants and peasant farmers were not allowed to immigrate

Spanish Colonies - Government

Governed by Crown-appointed viceroys or governors; settlements were completely subject to the Crown and all its laws; no political freedom whatsoever

French Colonies - Population Growth

Growth was slow and the colony struggled to attract settlers b/c of conservative immigration policies and cold climate/country. There were no more than 5,000 settlers throughout New France by 1672 - no more than 40,000 by 1734 in CA and no more than 10,000 in Louisiana by 1763

French Colonies - Settlements/Geography

Initially trade posts in Newfoundland/Canada Others sprouted after Sam. Champlain's exploration, including Quebec, Montreal, and also Louisiana in late 1600s

English Colonies - Population

Middle-class farmers, artisans, tradesmen, indentured servants, criminals, immigrants from other countries

Spanish Colonies - Relationship w/Native Americans

NAs were seen as "pure, innocent," or heathens who could be converted to Xanity; they were also seen as savages who should only be killed or enslaved

French Colonies - Government

No representative government, political rights, or unprecedented public meetings. Colonies were completely subject to the Crown

English Colonies - Religion

Non-Catholics, Puritans Puritans were authoritarian w/religion, governed themselves via theocracy Quakers in Pennsylvania mandated tolerance

English Colonies - Population Growth

Rapid growth due to liberal immigration policies By 1627 - 1,000 settlers in Virginia By 1754 - total population of English colonies grew to 1.5 million

English Colonies - Relationship w/Native Americans

Started out friendly, relied heavily on NAs for trade and help w/survival; eventually major conflicts ensued between English colonists and NAs due to English greed and violence