French And The Dutch Efforts On Colonization example essay topic

Even though the French and the Dutch arrived in North America almost seventy years apart, (the French in 1541 and the Dutch in 1609) their colonization efforts and relations with the Native Americans were similar. Both countries came to North America to establish permanent settlements. In doing this, both France and The Netherlands became very involved in the fur trade, which meant becoming very involved with the Native Americans. After comparing and contrasting France and The Netherlands in the areas of, purpose of colonizing, and relations with Native Americans, it was found that the two countries had more in common then not. Both of the French and the Dutch efforts on colonization were important to the future of America. The purpose for coming to America was simple for the Dutch.

They came for trade. Henry Hudson was sent to explore the region of what is today called New York. Henry sailed up the river, named it for himself and began friendly trading relations with the Native Americans. On the other hand, The French came to colonize after having sent two explorers, Verrazano and Cartier. The French come to America to live, work and trade. The Dutch come strictly for business.

A main reason for colonization for both countries was the fur trade. The French started this elusive trade with the Native Americans through fisherman. The fisherman would come from the Grand Banks off of Newfoundland, and go ashore to dry the fish. Once ashore, fisherman would trade with Beothuk Indians for beaver fur and spices. The beaver fur became very popular in Europe. Around the time of popularity, The Dutch, specifically Henry Hudson was exploring the New York area, Through the Mohawks (the native Indians of the New York area); the Dutch became allies with the Iroquois.

After obtaining sacred shells or wampum from costal Indians, The Dutch were able to trade with the Iroquois for fur. This trade was important because it was how settlers in New Netherland (present day New York) lived. Finding the Northwest Passage was a main reason for exploring America, for both countries. The idea of a shorter trade route to Asia that bypassed the Mediterranean Sea was something that both countries were hoping to find. After being unsuccessful in both cases, (The Dutch finding New Netherland, and the French finding the St. Lawrence river valley) both countries decide to colonize. Without the notion of the Northwest Passage, both the French and Dutch might not have come to America.

As seen with the fur trade, Indian relations were crucial to the colonists. Surprisingly, The Dutch and the French had very different relations with the Native Americans. In the beginning, before major colonization, The French had a good relationship with the Native Americans. French fisherman got along very well with the Beothuk Indians. Once the major colonization (in the St. Lawrence Valley) began, relationships between the Natives (Stadacona Indians) went sour. Cartier, the French explorer / colonizer, settled on the Stadacona Indian land and that took away all possibility of good relations.

The French ended up with heavy casualties from Indian attacks. It was shortly after this that The French abandoned this colony. It wasn't until later on when Samuel De Champlain explored and settled in Quebec that The French established a good relationship with Indians. This motivation was mainly from competition from The Dutch as well as the English. Champlain allied himself with the Montagnais, Algonquians and the Hurons. He did this by agreeing to help defeat their enemies, the Mohawks and the Iroquois, who of course were allied with The Dutch.

The Dutch had a good relationship with both of these groups from the start. They used the Indians for trade partners and military allies. The Dutch also purchased land from the Mohawks, instead of driving them off of it. Once, The French and the Dutch created strong relationships with the Native Americans, it made colonizing, living and trading in America much easier. The French and the Dutch were very similar in their reasons for coming to America, but very different in their relations with Native Americans. It is believed that once settled and having relations with their neighbors smoothed out; colonizing was very well worth it for both countries.

It allowed for them to be more competitive in the world, through trade as well as the race for land in America. The efforts of France and The Netherlands were important for the future of the United States of America.