New vs. Old

How did contact between the European arrivals and Native American affect both groups?

Main Points

• Disease
• Exchange of ideas
• Conquering 

Disease:
The European settlers brought diseases over from Europe such as smallpox and influenza. The Natives hadn't been exposed to it so they weren't immune. Therefore, the diseases decimated the native villages.

Exchange of Goods:
Europeans brought things to the Natives like metal tools, firearms, and dyes. The Natives started depending on the European goods in their every day life. Natives introduced new foods to the Europeans such as, corn tobacco, potatoes and honey. This broadened the food groups for the Europeans and gave them more of a variety.

Conquering:
When the Europeans took over the land they forced the Natives out. They also force the Native women to marry the European men.

How did Spanish settlement in America differ from that of the English, Dutch, and French?

English:

The English settled in the northern part of the New World and planned to have land all down the Atlantic coast. They found that crops such at tobacco made them good money.

Dutch:
The Dutch settlers settled in the northern part of the New World right around New Jersey. They weren't very interested in setting up permanent settlements. They were mostly interested in the fur trade.

French:
The french had very good relationships with the Natives. They did lots of trading with the Natives, especially for valuable furs. They didn't settle in a wide range of places because they didn't want to ruin their relationship with the Natives.

Spanish:
The Spanish settled the southern part of the New World. They came to conquer more land and find the riches. They enslaved the native people and forced them to do labor that would benefit Spain. They also tired to spread their Empire by attempting to force the Natives to convert to Christianity.

The English, French, and the Dutch all were very considerate of the Native people. The Spanish didn't care about the Native people. They were only interested in the riches for themselves.