Students learn the main characteristics and motivations of the French and Dutch colonies in the Americas. They compare and contrast the two colonies, and they explore the alliances with the American Indians.
Students learn the main characteristics and motivations of the French and Dutch colonies in the Americas. They compare and contrast the two colonies, and they explore the alliances with the American Indians.
Students are introduced to the focus on French and Dutch colonies and the essential question, “Why do people migrate?” They examine the Puck magazine cover titled “The Great White Weigh,” looking closely at how the Dutchman, the scales, and the Native American are depicted. Students then post an interpretation of what the illustration suggests about Dutch motives for colonization and their treatment of Native Americans to a discussion wall.
Teacher MovesPreview the experience and objective, then guide students in analyzing the cartoon by clarifying what is shown in the image and how the Dutchman is cheating the Native American. Discuss the title “The Great White Weigh” and connect student interpretations to the idea that the Dutch sought wealth in the Americas. Optionally, reference the debated legend that the Dutch bought Manhattan for a small amount of goods and direct interested students to the article Was Manhattan Really Bought for $24? for further exploration.
Students learn that France and the Netherlands established colonies known as New France and New Netherland. They watch the video French Colonization of the Americas and complete a graphic organizer capturing key features of French colonization, including region colonized, religion, interested parties, economic activity, settlement patterns, number of colonists, evangelism, and relationships with Native Americans. They then watch the video New Netherland and fill out a parallel graphic organizer for Dutch colonization, noting similarities and differences in motives, economy, and interactions with Native Americans.
Teacher MovesExplain that students will use similar organizers across related lessons to compare colonial powers. Encourage them to pause each video around the suggested times so they can attempt to complete the organizers before the narrator’s summary, then resume to check and refine their notes. Monitor completion of both organizers and prepare students to use this information for comparison in the next scene.
Using a map of colonial North America and their completed organizers, students work in a three-column graphic organizer (France / Both / Netherlands) to compare and contrast French and Dutch colonies. They record how each group’s motivations, settlement patterns, economic activities, and alliances with Native Americans were similar or different.
Teacher MovesReview student comparisons, emphasizing that both the French and Dutch engaged in the fur trade but differed in the size and structure of their colonies: the French claimed a large territory held mainly through trading posts, while the Dutch controlled a smaller colony that included some towns.
Students view an image titled “Frontenac dancing the war dance, 1690” and are reminded that both French and Dutch colonists formed alliances with Indigenous peoples. They answer a poll to select the best definition of “alliance,” then post to a discussion wall explaining the role of American Indians in French and Dutch colonies, drawing on what they have learned about military, economic, and religious relationships.
Teacher MovesHighlight a strong or insightful student response to spark whole-class discussion. Explain how American Indians supported the French as military allies, guides, traders, and potential converts, and how the Dutch primarily viewed Native Americans as business partners in the fur trade. Discuss the Native perspective, including the benefits of European alliances and goods as well as the devastating impact of disease and other negative consequences.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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