Part one. The Spanish and French in the Southeast. The first Spanish colony in North America: San Miguel de Gualdape (1526) ; The first Pensacola: Santa Maria de Ochuse (1559-1561) ; The French and Spanish struggle in Florida: Charlesfort/San Mateo and Fort Caroline/Santa Elena (1562-1587) ; Spanish Jesuits in Virginia: Ajacán Mission (1570-1572) ; Spanish mission colonies of the Georgia Coast (1580s-1684) ; La Salle's accidental colony in Spanish Texas (1685-1689)

Part two. First French attempts in Canada. Cartier and Roberval in Canada: Ste.-Croix, Charlesbourg-Royal, and France-Roy (1541-1543) ; The Marquis de La Roche de Mesgouez's colony: Sable Island (1598-1603) ; The French venture in Arcadia: Ste.-Croix, Port Royal, and St.-Sauveur (1604-1614)

Part three. English endeavors. The English Arctic endeavor: Meta Incognita (1576-1578) ; The English in North Carolina: the first Roanoke colony (1585-1586) ; The English in North Carolina: the second Roanoke colony (1587-?) ; The Sagadahoc or Popham colony: Fort St. George (1607-1608).