ENGLISH COLONIZATION

REASONS FOR ENGLISHEXPLORATION

ENGLISH COLONIZATION

1. Mercantilism: an economic system in which the nation increases their wealth and power by obtaining gold and silver and establishing a favorable balance of trade – OR –

Colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country.

A. Economics: LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY

2. New Merchant class: wanted to get rich through overseas trade

3. Middle/Lower class: wanted a better life-could not afford to live in England; second sons

4. Unemployed farmers: wanted to own land- England was becoming crazy for wool and farmers were being evicted from the lands they worked

B. SOCIAL

1. Workers/Farmers: wanted to move up the social ladder.

2. English leaders: colonies were a safety valve- way to get rid of certain people!!example: Religious problems and criminals.

C. POLITICAL1.English subjects: wanted political

freedom

2.Kings ruled by the idea of “Divine right”

D. RELIGIOUSDominant religion- Roman Catholic

PROTESTANT REFORMATION:Protest/Reform the Catholic Church

3 MAJOR FIGURES:1. Martin Luther2. John Calvin3. King Henry VIII

MARTIN LUTHER (1517)

2. JOHN CALVIN (1530s)

• Predestination (CALVINISM)belief that God has chosen to send certain

people to heaven and the remainder to hell.

-Decision is said to take place before the universe was created and is purely random.

3. KING HENRY VIII of England (1534)

• Split with the Catholic church and developed his own church; the: ANGLICAN CHURCH

E. RIVALRY WITH SPAIN

• WHY?????1. Spanish colonies were very successful in bringing wealth and pride to Spain

2. Religious issues (Catholic vs. Protestant)

VS.

BRITISH PLAN!!• English “Sea Dogs” attacked Spanish

ships and ports stealing their gold and silver and returning to England

• Sir Francis Drake (most successful Sea Dog)English attacked Spain for 3 years

SPANISH REVENGE1588

• Spanish King Phillip II sent the Spanish Armada (most powerful navy in the world) to conquer England.

• Fought battle in the English channel, smaller faster and longer range weapons on the English ships defeated the Armada

• Armada was really hurt by a strong storm• Only 67 out of 130 ships made it back to Spain• DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA

Pictures representing the defeat of the Spanish Armada

EFFECT• a. England would remain

independent and Protestant

• b. Spain’s image was tarnished- they could be defeated

• c. Opened up seas for England- leading to colonization