New Alliances, New Conflict

Read p. 134 and 135. Why was it important that France built forts in Mississippi and Louisiana?

• To protect and control their new claimed land and settlements from Native Americans and other European countries.

• To be able to build a new kingdom in the new lands.

• To attack the local Native Peoples there more easily.

• To use them as houses for the leaders of the new claimed lands and settlements.

What was the main reason that the Iroquois ultimately were able to defeat the Huron? On what page can you find the answer to this question?

On p. 137 it says "The Huron economy became dependent on trade." What do you think they were mostly trading? Why would the Huron let their economy become dependent on it?

On p. 137 it says "The Huron economy became dependent on trade." Because of trade the Huron economy got stronger and the Huron became more wealthy, but it also led to their defeat. How did this happen?

Read p. 138. Why was it so hard to find wild animals in Europe at that time and why was that different in North America?

On p. 138 it says: "Just as in Europe, American beaver numbers decreased significantly as a result of overhunting." Why did the numbers also decrease in North America and how was the animal eventually saved from extinction?

Read p. 139. What caused Spain's power to decrease?