An important red-letter day in the history of America was the day England defeated the Spanish Armada in the English Channel. This event strengthened England’s confidence and marked the beginning of the end of Spain’s imperialism. While previously Spain was a dominant force of colonization and exploration, England finally began to gear up for an even more successful and lasting conquest of the Americas. England’s new sense of confidence, unity, and preparedness set the stage for colonization of what would eventually be the United States. The settlers of Jamestown had a difficult start in the New World. The settlers, mostly noble “gentlemen”, spent their time searching for gold instead of building shelter or looking for food. As a result, …show more content…
The tobacco craze caused the settlers of Jamestown to plant it everywhere in order to get maximum profit. It was a poor man’s crop, easy to plant and abundant enough to be profitable in small amounts. But despite its apparent success, it caused problems for its farmers. If planted too often, it stripped the soil, making it infertile. Additionally, as it gained success, the entire economy became dependent on its harvests, and more and more slaves were required to cultivate the growing number of crops. This instability meant that one bad harvest could collapse Jamestown’s entire economy and leave the settlers with no backup …show more content…
Most of these farmers were Puritans, some of which were the first settlers in England’s colonies in the New World. This enclosure also forced these farmers throughout England where they became beggars in the streets of larger cities.
Laws of “primogeniture”
Laws of primogeniture stated that only eldest sons could inherit property. This left younger sons to seek out wealth through other endeavors. Some of these sons, like Raleigh, eventually became explorers, and some of the first founders of the English colonies.
“Joint-stock companies”
Joint-stock companies pooled wealth of multiple investors to fund various commercial operations. The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company, and similar ones provided the financial means to colonize the New World. This method also gave younger sons a way of growing wealth and finding fortune other than inheriting estates. Joint-stock companies contributed greatly to England’s success in colonizing the New World.
The “headright