Thesis Statement Board, Richardson, 4th Period

9/11/2017

Post your thesis statement rough draft here before 12:00am tonight. I will post my comments Wednesday so that you can make the appropriate adjustments. You are NOT required to read and comment on other's thesis statements at this point.

Prompt: To what extent and in what ways did European powers develop different patterns of colonization in N. America? Support your answer with specific and relevant historical information from the period 1607 to 1754.

79 Comments

Rachel Yao

2/13/2020 03:42:49 pm

Even though colonization in America by various European powers varied in purpose and pattern, Europeans powers had similar approaches to colonizing North America which can be seen by the widespread native conflict, use of native labor (such as encomiendas) and self-established claims to the land.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 01:50:43 pm

Ms. Yao,
Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.
Similarly, your claim seems to be about HOW colonizers colonized (similar approaches) rather than different patterns of colonization. Answer the question being asked :)
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Rachel

2/27/2020 01:04:23 pm

From the interactions with native tribes, to the use of native labor, to the religious conversion of natives, Europeans inadvertently established patterns in the frenzy of colonizing America in the 17th century. These patterns can most clearly be seen in the encomienda system. The system granted the rights of native labor to Spanish settlers similar to the use of native labor in English colonies later in the century. Not only did they impress labor on native tribes, the Spanish believed that they would repay the Native people by introducing them to Catholicism. Similarly, religious priests from England often traveled to the New World to increase the participation and influence of Christianity. In French and English colonies, there was often an association - besides slavery - or relationship with the Native people. No matter where Europeans colonized, they interacted with the Native tribes of the area. Whether it was the French trading guns for beaver pelts or English commodifying tobacco, the colonizers constantly interacted with the Native tribes, influencing not only Native ways of life but also contributing to the Columbian Exchange of resources that were found in the New World. It’s important to note that the patterns of religious conversion and forced labor were directly and indirectly influenced by white superiority, which is the leading force for the creation of these patterns in colonization.

Saniya Bhilegaonkar

2/13/2020 05:54:10 pm

Although European colonization in North America was achieved and enforced using similar methods, European powers had very different reasons, economic, ideological, and religious, as evidenced by the difference in the treatment of Native populations, conflicts in the time, in the religions, and in the economic endeavors of the colonial powers.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 01:52:26 pm

Ms. Bhilegaonkar,
Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
I'd make the counterargument a bit more specific, although you'll of course develop it further later.
Re: your first category of argumentation, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Emma Tyndall

2/13/2020 06:05:49 pm

While the European powers had similar motivations of economic gain and territorial expansion, each power has different patterns of colonization, proven by their interactions with native peoples, religious tolerance, and reaction to conflict.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 01:52:53 pm

Ms. Tyndall,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
Keep it up :)
-Mr. Richardson

Emma Tyndall

2/26/2020 07:03:09 pm

While the European powers developed some similar patterns due to their motivations of economic gain and territorial expansion, each power develops characteristically different patterns of colonization as shown by their varying interactions with native peoples, religious tolerance, and reactions to conflict.

The European powers developed very different patterns of colonization as it pertains to interaction with native group. Powers such and the French and Dutch began a fur trade with the natives they interacted with. This formed political alliances and allowed for mutually beneficial trade relationships. Ultimately this led to events such as the French and Indian War, in which French Colonies and the Iroquois people allied against the British. The positive relationship between the French and the natives developed a pattern of trust, alliance and mutual benefit, both economically and politically.Contrarily, the English faced an almost constant conflict with native due to their methods of colonization. The English did not attempt to have peaceful interaction with native. Instead, they forced natives to convert to Christianity, viewed them as inferior, and did not consider their land claims valid. This result in conflict and fighting such as that seen in the Anglo-Powhatan wars in which conflict arose over land claims and the British captured the Powhatan chief's daughter. This war can be seen as part of the beginning of a pattern of conflict in the English colonies. The Spanish, like the English also faced conflict with natives. The Spanish entered native territory and began converting natives to Christianity, taking their land, and forcing them to work in the brutal encomienda system. the most prominent pattern that developed in the Spanish colonies was the encomienda system. The Spanish forced the natives into brutal jobs with little pay, almost no food, and very little rest. This established an early pattern of exploiting cheap labor amongst the Spanish colonies. The negative relations that the Spanish developed with natives proved similar to the violent relationship that the English had but very different from the mutually-beneficial relationship the French had developed. Ultimately, these three relationships affected the colonies of each power by either building or breaking trust with the natives.

Chloe Lin

2/13/2020 06:49:04 pm

Though European powers raced to colonize the Americas for comparable religious and economic motives, the central patterns and strategies of colonizing nations starkly contrast each other as evidenced by Native American relations, land management, and overarching values.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 01:57:53 pm

Ms. Lin,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.

Excellent writing. I'm not sure exactly what your last category of analysis means, but I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing!
All best,
CR

Chloe Lin

2/26/2020 05:44:07 pm

Body Paragraph:

European colonization of the Americas manifested in distinct patterns as evidenced by Native American relations. Spain, for example, utilized forced Native labor though the encomienda system. Routine abuse and exploitation largely characterized Spanish treatment of Native Americans between 1607 to 1754. Native groups such as the Pueblo in Santa Fe were also deeply offended by the relentless efforts of Spanish Catholic missionaries to “civilize” and convert them. This particular situation escalated into a revolt by the Pueblo in which the Spaniards were driven out of the area, albeit only for 12 years. Spanish patterns of colonization clearly differs from that of the French. Christian missionaries like the French Jesuits were far more flexible and accommodating than the Spanish Catholics. French colonizers also sought out amicable and mutually beneficial relationships with Native groups. They traded French commodities such as glass beads for beaver and fur pelts provided by Natives. In contrast, England’s relationship with Natives was largely hostile as clashes repeatedly occurred over land and colonial expansion. In New England, for example, the leader of the Wampanoag waged a war in attempt to halt Puritan expansion. This conflict, dubbed King Philip’s War, exemplifies the virulent relations between the majority of Native people and English settlers. Despite minute similarities, European powers overall maintained diverse Native American relations and patterns of colonialism.

Michael Cao

2/13/2020 07:03:43 pm

Despite some similar methods used by the European powers in the colonization of North America, such as the use of joint-stock companies by the British and Dutch and the use of unfree labor, many patterns of colonization developed based on the motives of the people who colonized to the region and their relationship with the Natives.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 01:59:38 pm

Mr. Chao,
Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
For your first category of argumentation, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Sincerely,
Mr. Richardson

Michael Cao

2/27/2020 01:40:01 pm

The Spanish utilized the system of Mit'a and Encomienda in order to subjugate the natives in order to extract resources such as gold and silver. This negatively affected the Spanish’s' relationship with the natives, as violence was used and death among native forced workers was common. Whereas, the Dutch and French were more focused on the fur trade and developed more peaceful, negotiative relationship with the natives. The English, in response to the Black Legend of the Spanish, did not utilize forced native labor. Instead, they participated more in settler-colonialism, indentured servitude, and Chattel slavery of Africans. These empires’ respective relationships with the natives influenced the future success of their colonies. Natives revolted in the Spanish Colonies (e.g. the Pueblo Revolt), and in the British Colonies, there was much conflict with the natives in regard to land ownership, which led to the establishment of the Dunmore proclamation, angering many colonists. These empires’ relationships with the natives influenced the military presence that each had in the New World, meaning that these empires’ troops and allied native troops affected the readiness of the empires to combat with other natives and each other, affecting the survival of the colonies, such as in the French and Indian War, where the French lost control over New France. These patterns of colonization affected the immediate military presence in the region, allowing for the initiation of wars, such as the French and Indian War, which affected the survival and success of each empire’s colonization efforts.

Anlin Thachil

2/13/2020 07:09:46 pm

Although European powers used similar labor systems such as chattel and indentured slavery, to a greater extent, their patterns of colonization had differed in their implementation of religion and use of available resources.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:00:56 pm

Ms. Thachil,
Excellent job. Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
Use a consistent verb form in all of these, I believe "had differed" is pluperfect and you'll stick with a simple past tense.
Keep up the good work,
CR

Anlin Thachil

2/26/2020 11:44:14 pm

Although European powers used similar labor systems such as chattel slavery and the Encomienda system, to a greater extent, their patterns of colonization differed in their implementation of religion and use of available resources.
In the 17th century, the Spanish had administered the Encomienda system, in which they would grant protection to Native Americans in exchange for labor. They believed it was their mission to bring the souls of Native Americans “back to god” and conversion to Catholicism was strongly forced upon them. Crediting themselves as shepherds who were saving the Native Americans from hell, they felt as if they were superior and used this labor system as a means of hiding the true enslavement of Natives. Similarly, the English had a rocky relationship with Native Americans, seeing them as an obstacle in their path of attaining “God, Gold, and Glory”. The Anglo-Powhattan Wars are one example of the conflict between Native Americans and English colonists, who had rejected land claims and cultivated the land for themselves. On the other hand, both the French and Dutch frequently traded with Native Americans and established peaceful relations with them, exchanging things such as guns for fur from the Iroquois. While all of the European colonizing powers had interacted with Native Americans, their different patterns of colonization had influenced their development and success.

Varun Inala

2/13/2020 07:20:22 pm

Although European powers had different methods and motivations in the colonization of North America, many European powers engaged in different forms of colonization from the relationships with the Natives to land ownership and religious tolerance.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:07:16 pm

Mr. Inala,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.

All best,
Mr. Richardson

Varun Inala

2/26/2020 06:10:33 pm

One major difference in various countries’ patterns of colonization is their primary economies. All countries were focused on rapidly gaining wealth in accordance with the principles of mercantilism, however the economies they utilized greatly determined the amount of success they achieved. In the Dutch colonies, colonists were primarily focused on trading for furs with the natives, especially beaver furs. As New Netherlands heavily depended on the imported resources from the Dutch, this colony was quickly to be conquered during the Anglo-Dutch wars, where Charles II gained control of Great Britain, and the “restored” colonies. In French colonies such as Quebec, colonists focused on trade with Algonquien, exporting furs, fish, sugar, etc. Even amongst British colonies, such as Massachusetts Bay and Virginia, there were major differences in the primary economies. In Massachusetts Bay, the colonists, known as pilgrims, were seeking religious freedom, thus relied more on themselves, producing various goods to sustain their lifestyles. In Virginia, especially Jamestown, the colonists were concerned with making profit, thus primarily grew cash crops such as tobacco or sugar. As these colonists lacked the resources to survive, they relied heavily on imports from Great Britain, and frequently struggled to survive (avg. life expectancy of 2 years). The different patterns of colonization in these countries accounts for the degree of success in these colonies, and influenced the global exchange of goods and ideas, making these differences historically significant.

Yutika Aggarwal

2/13/2020 07:21:26 pm

Although European colonizers arrived in the Americas for very different reasons, European powers developed similar patterns of colonization through economic, legal, and religious systems.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:07:39 pm

Ms. Aggarwal,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. RIchardson

Yutika Aggarwal

2/26/2020 09:41:50 pm

Thank you for your feedback Mr. Richardson!

Thesis: Although European colonizers utilized similar methods to express control, European powers developed different patters of colonization seen in their relationships with natives, enforcement of religious systems, and labor control.

Body Paragraph: From the start of expansion into the New World, some European powers expressed a great deal of control over Native Americans. Between 1607 to 1754, the Spanish and English disrupted traditional Native American culture and enforced an elaborate racial hierarchy with themselves at the top and natives on the bottom. The Spanish accomplished this through the use of the encomienda system. It enabled royal officials to exploit natives as labor to support agricultural systems in exchange for Christianizing the natives. This system not only abused the people, but also developed the common idea of superiority over the natives. Similar ideas can be demonstrated in English practices. In early colonies, tobacco became a key form of profit and created a demand for a large and inexpensive labor force: indentured servants. These servants consisted of both Native Americans and Europeans, instilling a large gap between Native Americans and the gentry. Additionally, the English believed they had a right to Native American land and resources, adding to the idea of superiority over natives. Conflicts soon led to violent interactions such as the Powhatan War in Virginia and King Philip's War in New England. These ideas, however, differed greatly from French relations with Native Americans. The French traders quickly established a lucrative fur trade with the Indian tribes, creating peaceful relations. Overall, European powers demonstrated different patterns of colonization in their relations with Native Americans as some, including the French, chose not to establish large amounts of conflict, while others, such as the English, experienced conflicts leading to military confrontations.

Maddy Chen

2/13/2020 07:36:24 pm

To a high extent, European colonialists asserted their power, control, and force on North America in different ways specifically in that of their relationships between native inhabitants seen in Spain’s encomienda systems compared to French trade alliances as well as motivating sources such as Dutch patroonships versus England’s indentured servitude, evidently influenced by contrasting imperial goals.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:13:11 pm

Ms. Chen,
Good first effort. It seems like you included categories of argumentation but then went into each different colonial power. Each category of argumentation should be a point of comparison, rather than an investigation of individual colonial efforts. You'll save the specific examples for body paragraphs :)
Keep it up,
Mr. Richardson

Maddy Chen

2/23/2020 07:29:49 pm

Thank you for the feedback! I wasn’t sure how specific to be, so it helped a lot.

Thesis re-written:

Despite similar efforts of European colonists to gain wealth and power from North America, to a greater extent, their approaches towards these goals differed significantly in their usage of resources, relationships with native inhabitants, and labor practices.

Body paragraph:

European colonial efforts in North America between 1607 to 1754 were evidently different seen in their varying forms of interaction with natives. Initially, Spaniards found cheap labor through imposing encomienda systems which took advantage of native inhabitants, thus creating disparities and arguably defining the status of the indigenous population until 1720, when it became prohibited. While the Spanish gave protection, education, and religious awareness in exchange for labor, in reality, this was a version of masked slavery and allowed for them to utilize exploitation for economic advantages. The “Black Legend” ideal quickly spread and gave other European powers justification towards their own claim of native land. Later, these relationships improved due to the intermarriages of settlers and natives in mesitzo culture as well as people such as Las Casas who advocated for humane treatment towards the indigenous. Contrastingly, France, a country that had shown little interest in making permanent colonies in North America until the 1600s held better relationships with natives due to the emphasis of peaceful trade of fur and goods. France held alliances with tribes such as the Huron and Algonquins and supplied weapons to the natives during times of conflict. Their colonization efforts were successful in creating powerful trading networks as well as spreading Catholicism to the indigenous. On the other hand, England’s relationships between natives often varied seen in the differences of the Chesapeake and Puritan colonies, but conflict was common due to their belief of private land ownership. Wars arose such as the Anglo-Powhattan Wars and King Philip's War which changed the English perception of natives towards that of “bloodthirsty savages.” Although all three powers had disputes with the indigenous to some extent, they ultimately used different approaches towards establishing control in the Americas.

Grace Cooper

2/13/2020 07:48:43 pm

Although European powers developed similarly in colonization through achieving economic gain, however, more significant were through trade with natives or lack of, slavery systems, and treatment of the natives on the land.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:13:58 pm

Ms. Cooper,
Very well done. Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
You just need to be sure to make your argument explicit.
All best,
CR

Grace Cooper

2/27/2020 12:54:40 pm

The European powers developed different patterns of colonization in North America through the treatment of natives. Spain tried to convert the natives to Christianity, however, the natives did not want to convert and still practiced their religion, until it became a problem. This problem resulted in the Pueblos Rebellion, which was the natives rebelling and going against the spanish which resulted in the spanish accepting the natives religion. The French had a good relationship with the natives. The natives and the french had good trade and traded Fur with each other. The natives even sided with the French during the French and Indian war. On the other hand, the English did not assimilate the natives with them. There was a very distinct line where the natives were not allowed to cross, which was developed through the proclamation line of 1793.

Spencer Cline

2/13/2020 07:49:03 pm

Although many of the European colonizers had similar motives in coming to America, they all approached how to do it a little bit differently which can be seen by how differently the groups interacted with Indians, felt about religious tolerance, grew crops, and traded with others.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:14:22 pm

Mr. Cline,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Spencer Cline

2/26/2020 09:56:08 am

One way that the European powers developed different patterns of colonization was by their varied relationships with natives. British colonists in Jamestown traded corn and guns with the Powhatan Indians. The French also had a good relationship with natives and often traded items, such as guns, for beaver pelts from the Iroquois.On the other hand, events like King Phillip's war occurred. King Phillip's war was a conflict between Puritans in southern New England and Native American tribes. Another example of poor relationship between natives and Europeans was the French and Indian war, which started in 1754 and was a was a war between the British fought the French and their Indian allies. It is true that all of the European powers, at one point or another, had conflict with the native people, most of which was due to encroachment onto Indian land, but generally speaking the French and the early Jamestown colony had good relationships while the British did not.

Arya Rao

2/13/2020 09:15:39 pm

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:14:49 pm

Ms. Rao,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
CR

Arya Rao

2/26/2020 11:11:54 pm

European powers developed disparate patterns of colonization between 1607 and 1754, as reflected by their interactions with indigenous populations. The French, for example, traded guns, alcohol, and other commodities to the Indians in exchange for furs. The fur trade, especially that of beaver pelts, stimulated positive relations between the French and Indians. However, many European powers did not have strong relationships with the native populations. For instance, the English in the Chesapeake colonies often faced conflict with the Powhatan, an influential Algonquian confederacy whose empire was centered at the English settlements. The English invaded the Powhatan's land and rejected native protocol of giving the Powhatan gifts, which incited the Anglo-Powhatan Wars. The three wars illustrate how the English ignored native land possessions, and as a consequence, native resistance and violence became a recurring battle. Furthermore, even when English expansion was forbidden, uprisings demonstrated the feeling of English superiority and the tensions that existed between the English and natives. One such example can be seen by Bacon's Rebellion. Governor Berkeley restricted expansion fearing war with Indians, but a wealthy Englishman named Nathaniel Bacon attempted to clear the area of indigenous populations. This led to violent conflict between the Susquehannock and English planters, resulting in deaths on both sides. Overall, the French and English's relationships with the natives show how different European powers' viewpoints were. While some established beneficial relationships with the natives, such as the French, others intruded on native land and viewed the Indians as inhibitors to expansion, as evidenced by the English.

Jon Einsmann

2/13/2020 09:18:07 pm

While the European powers of the 17th century all colonized America in search of profits, their methods of obtaining these profits greatly differed from one another, as evidenced by their economic activities, interactions with native tribes, and uses of "unfree" labor.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:15:09 pm

Mr. Einsmann,
You nailed it. Great job and keep it up.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Jon Einsmann

2/25/2020 01:46:40 pm

1st Body Paragraph:

During the civilization period of the 17th century, European powers differed in their economic means. It is notable however, that all colonizing European countries of this time took part in their own version of mercantilism, restricting trade between their colonies and the motherland. Even though mercantilism was prevalent among all the European colonizers, English and Spain mainly focused on agricultural exports, while the French and Dutch traded for furs, which were sent back to the motherland. The Spanish took part in the dreaded encomienda system, enslaving natives to produce the crops for trade. Their brutality to the natives was recorded by Las Casas, and created the “Black Legend” as Spain’s new persona among other colonizers. The English also used slavery to produce crops on a massive scale, however, the English used chattel slavery, or racial slavery, because enslaved Africans developed resistances to European illnesses and were therefore more durable than the natives. Unlike the Spanish and English, both the French and Dutch colonized the Northern land of America, and traded with the natives for animal furs. As a result of their respective economic policies, the European powers developed different relationships with the natives as well.

Alex Klevans

2/13/2020 09:39:00 pm

Though the primary goals of colonization in North America were consistent across European powers, the colonization process differed as can be seen by their relationships with native peoples, their attitudes towards religion, and their overall success.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:15:49 pm

Mr. Klevans,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement. I'm not sure what "overall success" means, don't feel obliged to include three categories if you don't know what you'll argue :)
All best,
CR

Colin Adkins

2/13/2020 10:02:41 pm

Though colonization in the America was similar in each of the different European powers in the 17th century, the goals of these powers differed as shown by their migration patterns and the ways in which they interacted with the Native people in the Americas.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:16:41 pm

Mr. Adkins,
Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement. Please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that. I'd make the counterargument a bit more specific, although you'll of course develop it further later.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Huda Kose

2/13/2020 10:31:56 pm

Despite the evident similarities revealed through the numerous times European powers colonized America, it can be argued that there are apparent differences on how the Europeans went about doing so shown through the differing levels of religious tolerance, the distinct relationships with the native groups, and varying motives.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 01:41:04 pm

Ms. Kose,
Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
I'm not sure I understand your counterargument. There are similarities because colonizers colonized at different times? Perhaps reconsider what you were trying to communicate.
The core claim seems to be needlessly complicated in a way that actually takes you away from answering the prompt- here you're talking about methods of colonization "how [they] went about doing so," rather than the patterns of colonization, which is what your first two categories of argumentation are.
Good first effort and keep it up :)
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Catherine Huang

2/13/2020 11:06:59 pm

While there are similarities presented in European colonization such as the goal to spread religion, there are also a number of differences, namely relations with natives, motivations for colonization, and methods to encourage immigration.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:17:05 pm

Ms. Huang,
Good first effort.
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Daniel Shedrick

2/13/2020 11:24:50 pm

Although European powers scrambled to colonize North America with similar intentions, including expanding Catholic influence and seeking economic benefit, the belief systems and practices held greatly varied, such as differing relationships with natives, the institution of slavery, and the degree of religious tolerance.

Despite European powers quickly colonizing North America with similar mindsets of God, Glory, and Gold; their approach to the New World differed in their specific labor systems, organizational structures, and ways of interactive with the indigenous people.

Daniel

2/13/2020 11:25:59 pm

first part of that was an accident

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:17:38 pm

Mr. Shedrick,
Weird accident! No worries :) Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
CR

Paige Torgesen

2/14/2020 12:18:03 am

The different European powers may have come to the Americas with similar goals, mainly religious, and economic, but they varied in the ways they achieved those goals through their relationships with the native populations, unfree labor practices and trade agreements.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:17:56 pm

Ms. Torgesen,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
Sincerely,
Mr. Richardson

Paige Torgesen

2/27/2020 11:11:44 am

The European powers differed greatly in their patterns of colonization primarily in their treatment and relationships with the Native Americans. The French in particular had an unusually peaceful relationship with the tribes in the Ohio River Valley compared to the more hostile relationships that occurred with the Spanish and British colonists. The French had a mutually beneficial trade relationship with the Native Americans in which the French received fur and the native tribes received weapons to defend themselves from the British colonists. The British however did not have such an amicable relationship, instead of seeing the benefit of a positive trade relationship they ignored the native people and their land claims.The British colonists continued to push the native peoples further west as they wanted to expand their territory, they did this through sustained violence and disregard of native cultures and land. This escalated the already hostile relationship between the French and British as they both sought control of the Ohio River Valley which was occupied by the Iroquois who were allied with the French. This is the primary cause of the French and Indian War in the mid 17th century. The different approaches of the French and British were starkly contrasted and unfortunately the hostile pattern of violence against the Native Americans prevailed as the British won the French and Indian War and continued to ignore Natives through the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

Salma Hakam

2/14/2020 08:11:02 am

While European powers had different motives and locations of colonization in North America, overall, their patterns of such colonization was similar, shown through the use of forced labor, harsh treatment of native populations, and commercial land in many of the powers' colonies.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:21:19 pm

Ms. Hackem,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
CR

Salma Hakam

2/27/2020 04:35:56 am

Evidence regarding the similarity of patterns that European powers used to colonize North America can be found by looking at the widespread harsh treatment of natives. In Spanish colonization, the encomienda system exemplified said treatment of natives. This system, instituted by the Spanish crown, granted colonists natives that would work for them. The Spanish tried to justify said work saying that the natives were working in exchange for their protection, however, the harsh conditions such labor was under did not prove to be a beneficial exchange for Native Americans but rather an exploitation of their work. This long-standing conflict can also be seen in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 where Pueblo people rose against the Spanish as a protest against such forced labor systems like the encomiendas. Similar rebellions are also seen in English colonies. While no encomiendas are put in place, Great Britain still enslaves some Native Americans however the major similarity between them and the Spanish is the constant conflict with the natives. For example, the Anglo-Powhatan wars were originally caused by English intrusion on Powhatan land and English refusal of respect of native protocol of said lands in the Chesapeake. Both the Pueblo revolt and Anglo-Powhatan wars were catalyzed by European powers and their detrimental treatment of the natives. This just further proves that at the beginning of the 1600s all the way to the mid-1700s, European countries weren’t vastly different from each other in their patterns of colonization seen through their similar ideas of superiority over the natives that eventually led to violent conflict.

Maya Westerlund

2/14/2020 08:15:41 am

Although European powers approached the new world for varying reasons including for power, money, or religious freedom, the premises under which they acquired new land was fairly similar in that it demanded conflict with the Native populations, such as the spread of European disease and deadly conflict as Europeans encroached onto the Native's long held land.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:21:00 pm

Ms. Westerlund,
Very well written :) same issues as above and below, but an auspicious start.

Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Ben Bramson

2/14/2020 08:39:00 am

While European powers colonized under similar motives, their patterns of colonization varied greatly, which can be seen in their trade relations with Natives, labor systems, legislative bodies, and levels of religious tolerance.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:20:32 pm

Ben,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
-CR

Emma Mooney

2/14/2020 09:10:21 am

While European powers had similar goals in colonizing North America, different European powers had distinctly different patterns of colonization, as evidenced by the used forms of labor, relations with native populations, and the implementation and role of religion.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:20:16 pm

Ms. Mooney,

Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.

Sincerely,
Mr. Richardson

Emma Mooney

2/26/2020 10:49:51 pm

European colonial efforts in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries varied through relations with Native Americans. The French generally had strong relations with the natives, as they based their colonies strongly on the trading of beaver fur for European goods. The French also continuously provided gifts to the Native American groups, contrasting strongly from how other powers treated the natives. The Spanish had initially used the encomienda system as a source of labor, which later was fought against by activist De las Casas. This system enslaved natives for the use of the Spanish in developing their "new" land in North America. With the help of the "Black Legend," the system was eventually brought down, though it was soon replaced by the repartimiento system. The English also had negative experiences with natives, which can be seen in the many wars between the groups. One example is of the Yamasee War in which the Yamasee tribe attempted to drive out the English that had been encroaching on their land. The war was nearly successful until the Cherokee joined forces with the English. These European powers altogether had issues with North American natives throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, yet had distinctly different patterns of colonization.

Ellie Shedrick

2/14/2020 10:19:47 am

Despite the fact that European powers raced to colonize the Americas for similar religious and economic motives, each European power used contrasting strategies to colonize the area, proven by their different approaches to native conflict, strategies for land management, and religious values.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:20:02 pm

Hi Ellie,
We've reached a point where lots of people are making the same general points:
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.

Good first effort and keep it up!
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Naveen Vridhachalam

2/14/2020 10:23:03 am

Although colonization in North America by European countries varied in purpose, the European countries had the same pattern and approach to colonization as one another, evident in their treatment of the natives, the intended economies of the European colonies, and the use of forced labor in the colonies.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:19:19 pm

Mr. Vridhachalam,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
Sincerely,
Mr. Richardson

Naveen Vridhachalam

2/26/2020 08:02:46 pm

Thank you for the feedback!

During the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century, European colonies developed similar patterns of treatment and interactions with the natives. The Spanish developed the encomienda system, in which natives were forced to work in mines and fields to produce resources for the Spanish. This served as the basis for the "Black Legend", inspired by the reports of this system by Las Casas, which gave Spain a bad reputation to other European countries. The English also treated the natives negatively, evident the numerous conflicts between English settlers and Native Americans. In this time period, settler-colonialism, or the spread of English settlers trying colonize new land, particularly in the Western direction, even though the land was occupied by Natives, was prominent in the English colonies. Due to the English taking up the Natives land, a multitude of violent conflicts happened, including the Powhatan Wars. Both the English and Spanish colonists had the pattern of believing they were superior to the Natives, culturally and/or religiously, which led to comparable negative treatments of these groups of people. Also, religious treatment of the natives were similar. French Jesuits and Spanish catholics alike tried to convert Native Americans to Catholicism, which was responded too negatively by most groups of Natives. In the 1600s and the first half of the 1700s, European countries followed similar patterns of colonization efforts, evident in their treatment towards the natives both physically and religiously.

Ben Coniker

2/14/2020 11:44:58 am

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:19:01 pm

Mr. Coniker,
Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Ben C

2/27/2020 12:53:46 pm

Although European colonizers shared some similar patterns of colonization, European powers developed different patterns of colonization in North America such as the use of indentured servants and relations with Native Americans. The Spanish, led by Columbus, arrived in the America’s first, and sought financial benefits and power from the Native people. The English, on the other hand, had conflicts with Native Americans. They disagreed on topics such as territorial land and trade. Although European colonizers shared some similar patterns of colonization, European powers developed different patterns of colonization in North America such as the use of indentured servants and relations with Native Americans

Preston Spreher

2/14/2020 11:03:57 pm

Many European colonizers shared similar tactics when arriving at a new land such as creating conflict with native peoples, uprooting them and creating thee own settlements however they differ in how they choose to govern the land. The English chose the to create permanent settlements and have people immigrate to them, the Spanish chose to use the land primarily for profit thorough plantations and the french and Dutch mainly used land they acquired for trade outposts.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:18:41 pm

Mr. Spreher,
Each category of argumentation should be a point of comparison, rather than an investigation of individual colonial efforts. Go beyond recitation of information into a more analytical framework.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Preston Spreher

2/26/2020 10:12:05 pm

Thank you for the feed back.

The European colonial powers though similar in the ways they conquered native inhabitants of America, they differed in there interactions and relationships with native people. The Spanish who were the first to arrive in the Americas sought wealth and fame and with those motives forced the native peoples they conquered in to a system of forced labor were they were sent to mine for gold and other precise metals. This was similar to the English's interactions with native peoples. The English saw the native Americans as primitive, and there fore entitled them selves to native lands. This lead to many conflicts between colonizers and natives. The French by far were the most tolerable and had the best relations with native people when compared to the Spanish and English. The french began trading with native tribes for animal pelts and in later years acquired there help in wars against the British colonies.

Divya Korategere

2/16/2020 07:28:39 pm

Although European powers sought to colonize for the purpose of achieving glory, gold, and spreading their faith, the colonizers differed in their way of gaining access to and governing the land as evidenced by the treatment of native populations, push and pull factors for colonization, forms of labor, and trade agreements.

Colin Richardson

2/21/2020 02:18:11 pm

Re: your counterargument, please be careful to answer exactly what is being asked: you’re writing about motivation, but the prompt doesn’t ask about that.

Good job structurally - you’ve hit all three components of a strong thesis statement.
All best,
Mr. Richardson

Divya Korategere

2/27/2020 12:59:37 am

Thank you for the feedback Mr. Richardson!

Revised Thesis:
Although European powers similarly approached methods of maintain control over the land, the colonizers differed in their way of gaining access to and governing the land as evidenced by the treatment of native populations, push and pull factors for colonization, forms of labor, and trade agreements.

Body Paragraph:
European powers exhibited contrasting methods of colonization as evidenced by interactions with Native Americans and how they established tight control over the land. Between 1607 and 1754, Spain, France, and Great Britain continued to rise as imperial powers. Through the efforts of Samuel de Champlain, Quebec was established, serving as a central city for New France. Champlain, unlike other imperial powers at the time, fostered positive relationships with multiple Native American groups, such as the Hurons and Algonquians. Intermarriage with Native Americans also facilitated in establishing relationships. These alliances served a much greater purpose as the French expanded westward. The French grew dependent on Native American hunters to harvest furs and beaver pelts in order to create the extensive trade networks that the country greatly benefited from. The Spanish took a different approach to establishing a relationship with Native Americans: The Encomienda System. This form of unfree labor exploited natives by forcing them to work in mines and forced conversion to Christianity. The Pueblo revolt, an uprising by Pueblo people against the Spanish colonizers, highlights the problems of the Spanish method of colonization. Las Casas witnessed the savagery the encomienda system imposed and inspired the Black Legend, the idea that Spanish were bloodthirsty conquerors. The British were know to have had the most disregard for Native Americans of the imperial powers. The British displayed hostility towards Native Americans and believed they served no purpose and were rather an obstacle in obtaining more land. King Philips War, the major effort by Natives to drive the English colonists out of New England, signifies the Native American's disobedience towards English authority.

Alyssia Mellott

2/23/2020 08:20:11 pm

The irony of this is that European colonization in North America was reached due to the enforcement, although Europeans had different goals behind why they did what they did, ideology, economic, and religious was evident due to the treatment of the native people, dealing with different conflicts, Enforcing religion, and economic problems in the colonies.

Alyssia Mellott

2/27/2020 11:27:36 am

Spanish, French, Dutch and British colonizers had different models of colonization
Unlike their European competitors, the English eventually sought to establish colonies based on agriculture, sending relatively large numbers of men and women to acquire land and populate their settlements, while having relatively hostile relationships with Native Americans
Conflict - Uprising of 1622, Pequot War, King Philip's War/Metacom's War, Bacon's Rebellion
Jamestown = joint stock = tobacco
Caribbean - sugar
Spanish, driven by a want for gold, god and glory, did not settle permanently
harshly treated natives in attempt to gain wealth and bring it back to mother country - encomienda system
intermarriages with Natives (mestizo) and African (mulattos)
Popé's Rebellion (also known as the Pueblo Revolt), praying towns
French and Dutch were similar, both were interested in Trading especially amongst natives, French started trading post for furs.
Tried to Christianize Natives - Jesuits
Dutch treated the natives better than other colonizing powers

Ellie Shedrick

2/28/2020 06:18:00 pm

The spanish encomienda system was a form of unfree labor used to exploit native people and use them as a free labor resource. This exploitation led to violent treatment of natives, and Bartholomew's Las Casa’s horrific details of the encomienda system inspired the Black Legend, the idea that the Spanish were bloodthirsty conquerors with no regard for human life. The French colonization proved to contrast greatly with that of the Spanish. The french had a great interest in the fur trade, and although the French saw Canada as an frozen wasteland, around four hundred settlers had made their way there to participate in the fur trade. Because of the low amount of French people in the area, these colonists relied on the local native Algonquian People to stay alive and thrive in their new home, French fishermen, explorers, and fur traders made contact with the Algonquian on numerous occasions. The Algonquian tolerated French presence because the colonists supplied them with firearms for the current war with the Iroquois people. The French and the Native people created a network of trade and a beneficial relationship where both parties were able to benefit, whereas the Spanish exploited and brought violence among Natives for their own financial benefit. It is in this way that European powers methods of colonization differed from each other, while still colonizing for the purpose of profit.

Thesis Statement Board, Richardson, 4th Period

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