The American Colonies

The English were latecomers in establlishing settlements in America. Earlier, Spain had developed a huge colonial empire in Central and South America. And France had gotten control over Canada and much of the Mississippi Valley. But, whereas the Spanish and French were primarily interested in sending furs and gold and other riches back to Europe and in converting Indians to Roman Catholicism, the Engllish were more interested in setting up permanent homes in America. Territorial rivalries between the British and French became intense as their settlements expanded over the years. This resulted in the French and Indian War, which the British won. By the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1763), concluding that war, Great Britain received Canada and most French possessiions. Spain remained Great Britain's only rival in North America. Spain claimed possession of most of the land west of the Mississippi River. It is true that the U.S. in 1803 made the Louisiana Purchase (land extending from the Mississippi to the Rockies) from France. But Spain had transferred this land to France by a secret agreement in 1800.