The Spanish settled in the Caribbean and parts of South America and found economic success through mining precious metals, particularly gold and silver. The French settled in Canada and along the Mississippi River and found economic success through fur trading and establishing relationships with Native American tribes. The English settled along the Atlantic coast of North America and found economic success through agricultural practices, particularly tobacco farming and the establishment of plantations.
Some of the defining factors of each country are:
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Motivation for exploration: The Spanish were driven by the search for gold and conversion of indigenous peoples, the French focused on trade and alliances with Native Americans, while the English were primarily seeking land for settlement and agricultural opportunities.
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Colonization approach: The Spanish often established large colonies with a focus on extraction and conversion, the French tended to work more collaboratively with Native Americans for trade, and the English developed more permanent settlements with an emphasis on agriculture.
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Cultural influences: The Spanish brought Catholicism and Spanish culture, the French influenced North America with their language and Catholicism, while the English established a distinct cultural identity centered around Protestantism and English law.