EARLY SPANISH EXPLORERS

The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the Americas. Christopher Columbus was the first European to "discover" America, but Columbus never actually got to the present day United States.

The first Spanish settlement in the future United States of America was in Florida. Spain settled the town of St. Augustine in 1565, over forty years before the English founded Jamestown! St. Augustine served as the capital of the Spanish Florida Colony.

SPANISH GOALS: GOD, GLORY, & GOLD

God

The influence of the Catholic Church was very strong in Europe. As a Catholic nation, one of Spain's priorities was to convert non-Christians into Christians. Spain considered American Indians to be uncivilized. The Spanish hoped to teach them the Christian faith, specifically Catholicism.

Glory

At the time the New World was discovered, Europeans believed a nation's greatness and glory was based on the strength and size of its empire. European nations competed to establish the largest empire around the world. To gain a new land was to gain glory. Spanish explorers were eager to claim new lands for Spain.

Gold

Spanish explorers originally hoped to find a sea route to Asia so they could gain wealth from the silk and spice trade there. Explorers described finding cities of gold on his way to Asia. Stories like this encouraged Spain to seek great riches, especially golden silver, in the Americas. Spanish explorers were willing to risk dangerous voyages, long tracks over horse land, and even war against American Indians to find wealth.

ENGLISH GOALS: MERCANTILISM, FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

In the early 1600's, England pushed to establish its claim to North America. To do this, England issued charters that allowed many different groups to establish settlements in America. Jamestown was the first English town in America, it was settled in 1607.

Like Spain, England was in competition with other European nations for power and glory. England already had territories around the world and wished to add colonies in North America to its growing empire. Spain was benefiting from conquest in the Americas, and England certainly did not want to miss out!

MERCANTILISM

At the time, England practiced an economic policy called mercantilism. The goal of mercantilism was for a country to export more goods to foreign countries then it would import. To produce so many goods, England needed more resources than it had in its homeland. England expected its colonies in America to provide the raw materials it needed for its industries. Additionally, England could sell manufactured goods to the colonists.

OPPORTUNITY

The English upper class were displeased that England had so many poor and unemployed people. It hoped that establishing colonies in the Americas would give members of the lower class a place to go for new opportunities. In many cases, that is exactly what happened! Many poor English citizens saw America as a chance for a fresh new start in life. Perhaps they could own their own land and maybe even get rich from their hard work!

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Some religious groups in England did not agree with the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. Anyone who spoke out against the church was severely punished and persecuted. Religious groups like the Pilgrims, Puritans, & Quakers wanted the freedom to worship in their own way. They saw America as an opportunity to escape religious persecution.

Like Spain and England, France sought resources in North America while in pursuit of power, glory, and riches. New Orleans was the first French city settled in America in 1718. New Orleans served as the capital of French Louisiana.

SEARCHING FOR THE NORTHWEST TRADE ROUTE

Finding a river route through North America to Asia motivated the French to explore the North American continent. Faster access to Asia could mean more trading partners and more profits.

TRADING FURS!

Furs where a luxury and a fashionable item in Europe at this time, and merchants became very wealthy selling furs. The fur trade developed into a big business. American Indian groups in North America served as good trading partners. They hunted and then traded the furs to the French in exchange for goods they did not have, such as metal tools and items made of cloth. Many early French settlements started as trading posts.

SPREADING RELIGION

Some groups from France escaped religious persecution by moving to America, much like the groups from England (Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers). But like the Spaniards, the French wanted to spread Christianity in the Americas. French missionaries wanted to convert American Indians to Catholicism. The French also thought that converting American Indians to Catholicism would make their relations with the Indians much stronger.