French and English Colonization in North

America

Why Do We Speak English?•As we discussed earlier, people in New York speak English because our part of North America was colonized by the English. •People in Quebec speak French, because it was originally colonized by the French.

When Did The French and English Arrive?•Colonization – When people from one country create a settlement in a place away from their home country. They will often expand and attempt to claim more land for their home country.

•The French and English began to colonize North America in the 1500s! Almost 500 years ago!

A Question For You•Why do you think the French and English would want new land? What benefit does it have?•Discuss with your neighbor and then we’ll talk as a class!

Forts•To protect their new land, and the people living there, both the French and the English began to build forts. One of these forts was Fort Niagara, which was originally on French land. We will visit Fort Niagara in a few days to explore more!

Native Americans•As we have already learned, there were many native tribes in the area as well.

•Both the British and French interacted with Native American tribes. They traded with them, but they also stole land from them and sometimes fought with them.

Use the Following Maps to Complete Your Own Map of North America!