Which countries controlled large areas of North America by the mid-1700s?
By the mid-1700s, the following countries controlled large areas of North America:
1. Great Britain: Britain controlled the eastern seaboard of North America, including the 13 British colonies that would later become the United States.
2. France: France controlled a vast territory known as New France, which encompassed parts of present-day Canada, the Great Lakes region, and the Mississippi River valley.
3. Spain: Spain controlled territories in the south and southwest of North America, including present-day Florida, parts of the Gulf Coast, and areas that would later become Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
4. Russia: While not traditionally associated with North America, Russia held control over Alaska, which extended its influence into what is now the western coast of Canada and the contiguous United States.
It is worth noting that the extent of control varied among these countries, and there were often conflicts and disputes over the exact boundaries and territories.
By the mid-1700s, several countries had significant colonial holdings in North America. The main countries were:
1. Great Britain: The British controlled the largest portion of North America, including the Thirteen Colonies along the East Coast, which later formed the basis for the United States. British colonies extended as far west as the Appalachian Mountains and included important cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.
2. France: The French held territory in Canada, known as New France, which stretched along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. Major French settlements included Quebec and Montreal. France also claimed substantial parts of the Mississippi River valley, with important posts like New Orleans.
3. Spain: The Spanish controlled a vast area in North America called New Spain. This territory encompassed present-day Mexico, much of the American Southwest, and parts of Florida. They established important settlements like Santa Fe, San Antonio, and St. Augustine.
It's worth noting that indigenous Native American tribes still held significant territories within these colonial areas, although their control and influence varied.