Spanish, French, and Dutch Colonies
Aligned to C3.D2.His.3 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
England was not the only country to build colonies in the Americas. Spain, France, and the Netherlands each claimed land and started settlements. Their languages, religions, and ways of trading still shape parts of North America today.
Worked example
The Spanish built the town of St. Augustine in Florida in 1565, making it the oldest lasting European settlement in what is now the United States. Spanish priests and soldiers set up missions and forts across the region.
Practice questions
- Name three European countries besides England that built colonies in the Americas.
- Explain one way these colonies still affect North America today.
- Analyze why different European countries might have wanted colonies in different parts of North America.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Las colonias española, francesa y holandesa
Inglaterra no fue el único país que construyó colonias en América. España, Francia y los Países Bajos reclamaron tierras y fundaron asentamientos. Sus idiomas, religiones y formas de comerciar todavía influyen en partes de América del Norte hoy en día.
Ejemplo: Los españoles fundaron la villa de San Agustín, en Florida, en 1565, convirtiéndola en el asentamiento europeo permanente más antiguo de lo que hoy es Estados Unidos. Sacerdotes y soldados españoles establecieron misiones y fuertes por toda la región.
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