16th & 17th Century European Colonizing Efforts European Nation Geographical Range Emphasis/Focus of Of Special Note of Colonies Colonies Spain Widest range of Early attempts at First established colonization, from the discovering rich Indian colonies by tip of South America to cities diminished by Columbus who the current American 1560 as Spanish sought brought slavery to southwest and to defend their colonies the New World by throughout the and pacify tribes through sending Indians to Caribbean Sea. Franciscan missionary Europe and efforts. importing Africans to work in Spanish settlements. Portugal Brazil Vast world empire taken Earliest explorers over by Spain’s King of the 15th century Philip II in 1580. Relying were Portuguese, more on agriculture than but Portugal was gold-mining, Portuguese the least influential colonial leaders often European nation in returned home within 10 the New World years. The Netherlands New York, Delaware, Focused almost Because Dutch Caribbean islands, exclusively on Governor Dutch Guiana in South commerce, the Dutch Stuyvesant ruled America. brought few settlers arbitrarily, when (only 1500 by 1665 in English invaded in New Netherland—New 1664, residents York). Sugar and slave provided little trade in Caribbean and resistance. South America dominated Dutch interests. France 1st permanent Colony of New France Contact with settlement at Quebec in (Canada) developed Indians resulted in 1608. Small colonies in slowly with only 15,000 death by disease Central and South residents by 1700. Fur- (perhaps 90% of America and the hunting, rather than Great Lakes region Caribbean. farming, became the killed) and by chief economic activity. inter-tribal wars Jesuit missionaries caused by the fur attempted to bring trade. humane treatment to Indians. England British Guiana, Central Early focus: search for Personal economic America, Caribbean, wealth. Most successful advancement and and east coast of the of European nations at religious freedom present U.S. establishing self- provided the main sustaining colonies impetus to colonial following early disasters growth. Price in Virginia. 17th century Revolution of 16th colonial emphasis was on century and crop the sugar trade in the failures forced Caribbean. many peasants and yeoman farmers to seek new lives. .