Lesson 6: Colonial Rivalries in North America

Key Idea

Early English colonists traveled to North America for different reasons. The settlers at Jamestown were motivated by profit. They established a commercial venture backed by English investors, hoping to find gold and other valuable resources to send back to England.

In contrast, the Pilgrims who founded Plymouth were religious separatists. They wanted to escape the Church of England and create a community where they could practice their faith freely.

Key Idea

European powers in North America did not share the same goals. Each empire developed a unique colonial strategy based on its economic interests.

The French focused on the valuable fur trade, building a network of trading posts and alliances with Native American groups. The Dutch established New Amsterdam as a center for global commerce and trade.

Key Idea

As English colonies grew, they developed unique societies with different forms of government. In New England, communities often made decisions through town meetings, while Virginia colonists created an elected assembly. These political differences reflected the colonies' distinct regional economies.

The Southern colonies built large plantations for cash crops and first relied on indentured servants for labor. Over time, this system was replaced by a dependence on the brutal system of enslaved labor, forcing Africans to work. In contrast, New England's economy was based on trade, fishing, and small farms.

Key Idea

European nations like England, France, and the Netherlands all claimed parts of North America. These empires saw the continent as a source of great wealth. They competed for control over valuable resources, such as animal furs and rich farmland, and important waterways that served as trade highways.

This competition grew more intense as colonies expanded. The English focused on building towns and farms, which required large amounts of land. The French, however, built a network of trading posts for the fur trade. Their different goals and expanding territories often put them in direct conflict.