Student Question
Compare and contrast Britain's and France's colonial rule in North America.
Quick answer:
Britain and France had distinct colonial approaches in North America. France maintained strict control, requiring colonists to report to the Crown and involve it in decisions, with influence from the Catholic clergy. In contrast, British colonists enjoyed self-governance, pledged loyalty to the king, and saw a diverse immigrant influx, forming local governments and taxing themselves. Both nations promoted economic activities like farming and trading, but British colonies were primarily influenced by Puritans.
France and Britain ruled their colonies differently. France was under autocratic rule and its colonists had to report to the Crown when they went to America. Furthermore, they had to involve the Crown before making any decisions.
Conversely, British colonists had more freedom than the French and were allowed to self-govern, provided that they pledged their loyalty to the king. Moreover, Britain allowed immigrants from other countries to immigrate to its colonies, which significantly increased their colonial population. They formed local governments and taxed their colonies.
The French colonies were influenced by the Catholic clergy, while British colonies were mainly influenced by the Puritans, who were not Catholic. Both the French and British colonies encouraged economic activities such as farming and trading.
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