England and the Americas

England’s foray into North American colonization was shaped by internal conflicts and the need for national consolidation under Henry VII and the religious transformations of Henry VIII’s Reformation. The authors detail how these foundational changes delayed England’s imperial ambitions compared to those of its European rivals. They also describe how the brutal conquest and colonization tactics used in Ireland foreshadowed future approaches in America, where the English often saw Indigenous peoples as uncivilized and resistant, similar to the “wild Irish.”

Under Elizabeth I, ventures like those led by Sir Walter Raleigh began, though early attempts at founding colonies, such as the Roanoke Colony, failed due to poor planning and adverse relations with Indigenous peoples. Despite these setbacks, religious motives intertwined with economic ambitions fueled colonial expansion, particularly driven by anti-Catholic sentiments stemming from conflicts between English and Spain, such as the attempted invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588.

England’s social crisis, marked by rapid population growth and the enclosure movement, led to domestic strain, prompting the government to alleviate pressure by promoting emigration to the Americas. This period also saw the romanticizing of the Americas as a land of autonomy and opportunity, particularly appealing to the marginalized “masterless men” of England, who saw it as a chance for independence and economic freedom.