The Westward Expansion Rights

During the 17″ century, both England and France made colonies in North America. Although similar, the French settlements differed from the English settlements in many ways. For example, the French had an economy based on the fur trade, while the English had an economy based on tobacco. This emphasis on fur trade rather than extensive settlement led to slow population growth as well as many scattered villages. This was unlike the English settlement of Jamestown which was a centralized colony with a lot of population growth in the late 17″ century.

The French settlements also had good alliances with neighboring Indians, unlike the English. The French relied on the Indians and control of waterways.

They traded European goods for fur with the Indians. The English on the other hand had settlements in the heart of the Powhatan Indian tribe. The English suffered from poor relations with the Indians. They constantly raided each other for food, and had many wars with the Indians. They treated the Indians with ferocity.

The French initial goal to live in the New World led to them being more prepared and successful compared to the English colonies. The French had farmers to produce surplus food and did not suffer from food shortages and hunger like the English settlements. The English settlement goals differed greatly from the French. They started by searching for gold as well as the Northwest passage to Asia. This led to the neglect of crops and a dwindling food supply.

Thus, the English colonies Suffered harsh times and stability problems, unlike the French colonies.

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The French settlements also had religious goals, unlike the English. They sent over French Jesuits to convert Indians to the Catholic ways. Jesuits were able to claim thousands of Indian converts. Since only Catholics were sent to live in the French settlements unlike the English, the French settlements differed from the English in population. Few French citizens went to the new world, and 3 out of 4 returned back to France. Canada was seen as a distant and inhospitable place by the French. By 1700, there was only 15 thousand settlers, which was less than 7% of the population of the English settlements. Men in French settlements also married local Indian women, unlike the English men. The French colonies were governed by a governor and intendant who were appointed by France Royals.

Thus, the French settlements never developed institutions of self-government like the English colonists had. The English colonies, on the other hand, had the House of Burgesses as a form of self-government. The English colonies were appointed a leader name Captain John Smith. Captain Smith used his strict ways to benefit the colony. Harsh rules like the Lawes Divine, Morall, and Martiall were instituted. The King of France sent professional military soldiers to protect the French colonies. Unlike the English, the French built many forts as a form of protection. Unlike the French settlements, the English settlements were located in a swampy region. This led to more infectious diseases due to an increase in mosquitoes and other diseases carrying parasites. The English colonies thus suffered from more disease than the French colonies.

Also unlike the French settlements, the English settlements began transporting Africans to work on tobacco farms in 1619. Unlike the French settlements, the English had a head right system that gave away 50 acres of land for merely coming to the New World. Over time, the English settlements began to spread out further into Indian Territory. The French settlements were denied westward expansion according to the King, unlike the English. However, over time, the French settlements moved westward anyway. Over time, the English settlement of Jamestown, which was a joint-stock colony, became a royal colony. This was unlike the French settlements which were all joint-stock settlements. The English also had a proprietary colony unlike the French. Many of the English colonists were indentured servants who helped grow tobacco. The population thus became mostly made up of young males, unlike the French colonies.