reasons for english exploration english colonization
TRANSCRIPT
REASONS FOR ENGLISH
EXPLORATION
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