EUROPEAN Colonization in the Americas [APUSH Review Unit 2 Topic 2] Period 2: 1607-1754

Introduction to European Colonization (1607-1754)

Overview of the Unit

• This video introduces Unit Two of the AP U.S. History curriculum, focusing on European colonization from 1607 to 1754.

• The discussion will expand beyond Spanish colonization to include French, British, and Dutch efforts in the Americas.

Spanish Colonization Insights

• Spanish colonies were primarily established for wealth extraction through agriculture and mining, utilizing native labor under the encomienda system.

• When native labor proved insufficient, Spain turned to forced African labor as a replacement.

• A caste system based on racial ancestry was introduced by the Spanish, reshaping societal structures in their colonies.

• The mission system aimed at converting natives to Christianity had mixed results; some converted while others resisted or revolted (e.g., Pueblo Revolts).

French Colonial Efforts

Initial Interests and Settlement

• France's interest in America began later than Spain's; they initially sought a water route for trade with Asia rather than direct colonization.

• Samuel de Champlain established Quebec in 1608 as France's first permanent settlement, marking a shift towards colonial presence.

Economic Focus and Relationships

• French colonial policies prioritized trade over conquest, particularly in fish and fur trading sectors. They established fewer settlements compared to other nations but focused on trading posts instead.

• Marriages between French traders and Native American women created kinship ties that facilitated trade networks among indigenous peoples. An example includes relationships with the Ojibwe Indians in Canada.

Dutch Colonization: New Amsterdam

Exploration and Economic Goals

• The Dutch sought a water passage through America; Henry Hudson claimed land that became New Amsterdam (1624), which served as an economic hub for trade and fishing activities.

• Unlike other colonial powers, the Dutch showed little interest in converting natives to Protestantism; their focus remained strictly economic—centered around trade opportunities rather than religious missions.

British Motivations for Colonization

Economic Changes Driving Migration

• The English economy underwent significant changes due to the Columbian Exchange and conflicts with France, leading nobles to seek new economic opportunities abroad as their wealth diminished.

English Colonization in the Americas

Differences Between English and Other Colonizers

• The English colonizers approached the Americas as family groups, aiming to establish new homes, contrasting with the French and Dutch methods of colonization.

• Unlike the Spanish, who subjugated native populations, the English expelled them from their lands after initial peaceful coexistence turned into tension and violence due to encroachment on native territories.