Differences of the French and Spanish colonization

In the 16^th and 17^th century, the European powers began to colonize the Americas. The motives and methods were completely different from each other. One sought power, glory and land. The other had a more subtle approach to colonization and sought to be powerful through negotiations and treaties. The Native Americans were also influential in how the situation developed in the Americas. Each tribe had a different approach to the Europeans, just as the Europeans had a different approach to how they dealt with the Native Americans. While the methods remained different, the idea that there was untapped resources and power in the New World was what drove men to slavery, deception, land wasting, and the overall lack of public relations led to the near failure of both of these colonization’s.(Collins, 2011)

To expand God, gold and glory was the mission statement of the Spanish during the 16^th and 17^th centuries. Every explorer and conquistador became obsessed with either one or the other. Some only sought to expand Catholicism typically by force in order to make sure that they didn’t reject the teachings. Others were bluntly after the gold. Gold was power during this day in age. Gold could buy land, position, a title and a chance to move up in the world. When the greed of these men led them to kill entire tribes and strip the land of all precious metals, this is when we begin to hear about the mysterious cities of gold. Many people believe that this was simply a ruse to get the Spanish to move on to new territory and stop the terrorization of the natives. Those who were only after the glory were often explorers who wanted to upgrade their status in the world. (Collins, 2011)

Being able to buy or earn a higher title was still a big deal in Europe. Even in the 16^th century we still have a form of feudalism at least with the social classes. It was still believed that God put man where he wanted them as either a serf or a Lord. Since that was the general idea being spread around, It made it very difficult to move through the social pyramid. Many of these Spanish explorers and colonials were only there to improve their chances of success back in Europe. They were it in for the change. The serfs were there because they were barely living anyways and they figured that they had a chance at a new life. As we see the draw of this new and vast land, it becomes increasingly clear why the Americas were colonized. (Nozistro, 2010)

The Spanish and French had similar goals but they used completely different methods to achieve them. The country itself took up a method on how to still own the gold of the Spanish but without having to mine for it. The simply monopolized on the trade industry and forced the Spanish to buy from them. This allowed the French to have a stable economy and it allowed for the uprising of a strong traders class. These men would trade furs, timber, game and land to the European nations and walk away filthy rich from it. While the government got stronger and wealthier, so did the businessmen of the lower-middle class groups. Those groups were the direct traders and surveyors who got paid handsomely for their hard work. As a result of the individual interaction with the Native Americans, the French colonists had much stronger relationships with them than their Spanish counterparts. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t uncommon for the French and the native to live with one another and learn each other’s language. (Tilly, 2006)

The Spanish treated the Indians as conquered slaves and as an inferior race. This mistreatment led to large scale rebellions and a natural lack of trust for the Spanish conquerors. The Spanish were in it for themselves and didn’t care about the rest of humanity. The French on the other hand, saw themselves as being coexistent with the Native Americas and they land that they were occupying. They did not see themselves as conquerors but as opportunists. Always relying on diplomacy instead of force to get what they needed to be successful. The Iroquois tribes and the Delaware tribes eventually formed strong alliances with the French which came in handy during the French and Indian wars against the English. Even the Creek and Seminole Indians would trade with the French secretly to avoid repercussions from the Spanish. The Spanish had strained relationships at best with some of the North American tribes and in Central and South America they had virtually no relationship with the natives. (Tilly, 2006)

Over time the Spanish grew a mighty empire that was enforced through its Galleons. These ships were designed to be capable of carrying store holds full of gold and silver. There was a time when every Spanish ship was carrying some sort of gold shipment. Some of them were for the crown some were smuggled to Norway or Switzerland via private merchants. And some were outfitted with so many solid bronze and gold plated canons, that they became equally valuable to pirates for seizure. The French invented the Brigantine during this same time. The Brigantine was a light fast ship that could carry and average size load of trade goods. Its design was used to outrun the English Privateers that roamed the waters looking for soft targets. It became a favorite of the French trading companies because it was easier to protect their interests this way instead of sending a large fleet of ships which cost more money. (Williams, 2003)

There are many stark differences between the expansions of the European powers. The motives behind their actions were perhaps the largest difference that can be seen of them. While we see the French make a subtle move into the New World and integrate themselves perfectly, we also see the Spanish storm the beaches and rid the jungles of heathens in a lust for gold and glory. It is interesting that each one wanted to overpower the other one and that in time they both fell before the British who simply came over for freedom. Once again we are reminded that an idea that motivates the common man is more powerful than any treaty or government mandate.

 

 

Works Cited

Collins, R. (2011). Spanish french and dutch colonization. Retrieved from http://www.docstoc.com/docs/53886047/Spanish-French-and-Dutch-Colonization-Review-Power-Point

Nozistro , R. (2010). Long term effects of colonization in the americas. Retrieved from http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw27colonizationeffects.htm

Tilly, S. (2006). French spanish and english colonization. Retrieved from http://www.studymode.com/essays/French-Spanish-And-English-Colonization-390255.html

Williams, P. (2003). French colonization. Retrieved from http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/ibex/archive/IDOT/idot3.htm