French Colonies Characteristics

The characteristics particular to the Spanish and French colonies allowed for a greater interaction between the two. The Spanish and French colonies had similar ways in maintaining wealth, but the only interaction they had was an ongoing rivalry causing the removal of the French by the Spanish colonies in 1690. The main religion of Spain was Catholicism, and anyone who refused this religion would essentially be expelled from Spain. This included Jews and Muslims at the time (Keene 15). The conversions of the Spanish were mainly how they planned to control this hemisphere (“Exploration-Conquest-the-Spanish” www.thehistorylounge.org). The Spanish colonies were largely based on trading. There was minimal farming in the West, but it was encouraged by the Spanish military. In the late 1400’s, the king of Spain sent conquistadors to the New World to conquer land and obtain wealth and gold. This was not only very successful, but due to the success, it encouraged other European powers to send colonies to North America and form permanent colonies there (slideplayer.com). These colonies were governed by viceroys appointed by the king of Spain, and the settlers had to obey by laws of the king. …show more content…
France had similar interests in wealth and converting non-believers to Catholicism, and Protestants were exiled from the land and colony (“Essential Question” slideplayer.com). Although, if it weren’t for the Protestants in this time, New France might not have been discovered in 1659. Fur trade was the most lucrative economic effort. Even though the government encouraged farming, it was never a huge part of the economic upbringing. Unlike the Spanish, there were no governors or political rights. They were simply subject to the king (“European Exploration”