REASONS FOR ENGLISH EXPLORATION ENGLISH COLONIZATION.

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