Exploring Early French and Dutch Presence in North America

European Exploration and Colonization

• The English initially came to North America seeking the Northwest Passage, a hypothetical water route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

French Colonization

• The French realized that the fur trade was more profitable than finding gold in North America.

Dutch Colonization

• The Dutch laid the groundwork for what would eventually become New York City.

Jesuit Missionaries

• Jesuit Missionaries sought to spread Christianity in North America.

English Colonization

• England had to focus on domestic conflict, specifically the English Civil War, after initial colonization efforts, which hindered their ability to establish a strong foothold in North America.