French Vs English Colonies Essay

Discovery of North America it cost human life! English writer Samuel Johnson said “I do not much wish well to discoveries, for I am always afraid they will end in conquest and robbery” (Fritze, 179). English and French colonies are shared common goal to build empires and increase profit, although in different approaches towards American Natives. According to King Louis XVI of France “Firmly assure Congress of my friendship. I hope that this will be for the good of both nations” (227, Lancaster). The settlements of English and French colonies in North America. Each colony is different each other in relation to economic activities, trades and social differences because the variety of rules and regulations.

The settlements of English colony start from Virginia and Massachusetts then spread along the Atlantic coast

of North America, consist of the original thirteen colonies. On the other hand, French colony explores the St. Lawrence valley in Canada and the Mississippi River and settled in Quebec and Montreal. In late 1600’s French has Newfoundland in Louisiana so called the New France.
Furthermore, English colonist recruits farmers, artisan, tradesmen and indentured servant from England and other countries immigrant are welcome to work.

However F¬¬¬rench people are fur traders, merchant and missionaries. Also French Soldier come and provided with land. English population dramatically increases due to liberal immigration policy, but French slow growth due to poor locations and unstable income in the beginning. As a matter of fact, French has an issue regarding the gender imbalance in the 1600’s, high population of men than women.

Likewise, English colonist under three systems (1) Proprietary Governors, allowed to set up local governments and representative assemblies and to tax themselves includes Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. Virginia is under (2) Royal government are owned by the King. (3) Self-governing can set up its own government included Rhode Islands and Connecticut. At the same time French is the second powerful empire behind the British Empire. The colony is under the king’s control, the people have no political rights and public meetings needed be approved by French King. Operates under French law so called Code

Civil.
The English colonist primarily they are not focusing on religion just wanted to increase wealth. They are separatist Pilgrims, most of them are non-Catholics with more religious freedom, except the Puritans in Massachusetts are strict with autocrati¬¬¬¬c religious leadership. On the Contrary, New France is controlled by the French Catholic clergy. Encourage the American Indian to convert Christianity and established mission.
English societies are agrarian with economic sources includes farming, fishing and trading. Exporting tobacco, rice, timber, and fish. Goal to find gold and encroach the land of natives for English profit. “They wanted land, not dominion over the existing population” (Foner, 55). Whereas French colonies turning mercantile in 1663, source of income includes fur trade and farming plantations in Mississippi. Important to realize that French rely on African slaves to work in the sugar plantations.
Relations with Native Americans, early English colonist rely on Indians for trade and survival, but overtime English becomes greedier which led major problems with Indians. Sir Walter Raleigh establishes the Roanoke colony, however did not last long due to Indian conflict and poor location. On the positive side French colonist respect the Indians with desires to be friends rather than taking Indians’ lands. Again French are friends with the Hurons, Algonquins and Montagnais and allies to fight war against the British. According to History instructor Ricky Causey “… the Indians preferred the trade goods the English provided, but preferred the company of the French.”
Generally speaking, economic opportunity is the common motive of conquest on both colonies. Significantly English colonist were always in conflict or war against Indian tribes. After all, French colonies and American Indians, they need each other for trading and survival. During colonial war, unfortunately French become weakened and lost interest to pursue land in North America. The Rivalry between England and France, several wars started and increase conflicts in 1744 contribute the downfall of French Empire.