English Motives for Colonization in North America

Why would anyone want to go through the trouble of colonizing? The English had such motives that compelled them to leave their motherland. It was for the reasons of seeking freedom, seeing there was nothing in Britain for them, and success accessed by other nations.

England set up strict rules and laws. Those who sought a bit of adventure naturally took off. Others were motivated to find religious freedom. Lord Baltimore set up Maryland for the sake of his fellow Catholics. Since England was primarily Protestant, a great deal of religious persecution occurred consequently the Catholic safe haven was born. Religious persecution also bound the Pilgrims to leave England and settle in Holland, where there was more religious freedom. However, after a number of years the Pilgrims felt that their children were being corrupted by the liberal Dutch lifestyle and were losing their English heritage. News of the English Colony in Virginia motivated them to leave Holland and settle in the New World. Also, social rank was of great importance in England. Some hoped to go past their branded social status and star anew and to “create” a new image. They anticipated making a name for themselves.

Departing to go to the “New World” was quite risky but why would you not leave if you had nothing to lose? For many, this was the situation. Many lost their land or were kicked off. Land Enclosures had done just that sending farmers in search of a new life. The law of primogeniture added to this idea as well. First sons were guaranteed inheritance but left nothing for younger sons. Younger sons such as Raleigh, Drake, and Gilbert were illegible to take over land estates and left to attain fortunes elsewhere. In England there was a population increase in the 1500s. From 1530 to 1680, the population almost doubled! This meant unemployment and crowding. A number of conditions people experienced where intolerable which forced them to new land and resources.

England geographically is not far from Spain but when it came to building an empire in the New World, England was biting Spain’s dust. Seeing the success of Spain encouraged many of the English people to start colonizing. Spain was bathing in profits from what the New World had to offer. So in 1606the Virginia Company