The Earliest European Settlements in the Eastern United States
When discussing the history of the United States, one often hears about Jamestown and the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. They are often considered the first Europeans to settle the eastern coast of the territory that would one day become the United States. However, like many historical narratives, this is just one piece of a much more complex and varied story.
French Settlements
The French were among the earliest European settlers in the region that would become the United States. In 1541, a group of 400 settlers were sent to Quebec by the French, but the settlement was abandoned after just one year. In 1598, another attempt was made with convicts on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, and this also failed. In 1599, the French attempted to establish a small trading post near Quebec but were unsuccessful. Finally, in 1605, two years before the establishment of Jamestown, a settlement on St. Croix Island was moved to Port Royal, Nova Scotia, where it remained. This and the successful attempt to establish Quebec City in 1608 are considered the two oldest French settlements in North America.
Depending on how one defines the American coast, the French might claim that their successful settlement at Port Royal was the first. However, the Spanish also have a claim. In 1562, Protestants known as Huguenots settled in Parris Island, South Carolina, and later resettled in Fort Caroline in the area of Jacksonville, Florida. The Spanish, who had previously claimed the region, overran the Huguenot colony in 1565 and wiped out all the inhabitants. The fort at St. Augustine, which the Spanish established nearby in 1565, claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States.
English Colonization
While the French and Spanish had earlier settlements, the English soon caught up and eventually dominated colonial America. In 1587, the English attempted to start a colony on a barrier island off the Carolina coast. However, the colony was abandoned when a ship returning to Roanoke Island in 1590 found it deserted. This mystery remains unsolved to this day.
By the early 17th century, the English had built a more successful presence in the region. Fort Nassau, built by the Dutch in 1615, was abandoned in 1617. However, in 1626, the Dutch successfully built Fort Orange near what is now Albany, New York, and maintained a presence there. The Dutch also established Fort Amsterdam at the tip of Manhattan, which grew into the successful colony of New Amsterdam, the center of the growing New Netherlands colony.
Meanwhile, in 1638, the Swedes established Nya Sverige along South River in what is now Delaware. The Dutch saw this as an encroachment on their territory and overran the Swedish colony in 1655.
The Dominance of the English
Over the next century, the English established numerous colonies along the eastern coast of the present-day United States. Their success was due to a combination of military power and agricultural expertise. The English navy forced the surrender of New Netherlands, while humble English farmers established farms, plantations, and prosperous towns throughout the eastern coast.
This success meant that the English and their culture became the dominant force in colonial America. The stories of the French, Spanish, Dutch, and Swedes are often a footnote in American history books.
Conclusion
The history of the earliest European settlements in the eastern United States is a rich and complex story. While Jamestown and the Pilgrims from the Mayflower are often highlighted, the French, Spanish, Dutch, and Swedes all played a role in the early days of colonization. The dominance of the English in the end is a testament to their ability to adapt, thrive, and build a nation on the shores they first settled centuries ago.