Great Britain made its first tentative efforts to establish overseas settlements in the 16th century. Maritime expansion, driven by commercial ambitions and by competition with France , accelerated in the 17th century and resulted in the establishment of settlements in North America and the West Indies.
How did the British gain colonies?
Although England tended to trail behind Portugal, Spain, and France in establishing overseas colonies, it established its first overseas colony in 16th century Ireland by settling it with Protestants from England drawing on precedents dating back to the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169.
What were three reasons England expanded colonization?
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REASONS: A BETTER LIFE Most colonists had faced difficult lives in Britain, Ireland, Scotland, or Germany. They came to the Americas to escape poverty, warfare, political turmoil, famine and disease .
How did England expand its colonies in North America?
The 17th century saw a rapid increase of English colonial activity, driven by the pursuit of new land, trade, and religious freedom . The London Virginia Company created the first successful English overseas settlements at Jamestown in 1607, and the Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629.
What are the reasons for the English colonial expansion?
◦ England wanted to start an American colony to increase their wealth and power so that they could compete with other European countries like Spain and France. ◦ They were hoping to be able to find silver and gold in America. (This would help increase their wealth!)
What are 3 reasons for colonization?
Historians generally recognize three motives for European exploration and colonization in the New World: God, gold, and glory .
Why did Europe start colonizing?
The motivations for the first wave of colonial expansion can be summed up as God, Gold, and Glory: God, because missionaries felt it was their moral duty to spread Christianity , and they believed a higher power would reward them for saving the souls of colonial subjects; gold, because colonizers would exploit resources ...
Does England own America?
The United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776 . The American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, with Great Britain recognizing U.S. independence. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1785.
Why did Britain give up India?
During World War Two, the British had mobilised India’s resources for their imperial war effort. They crushed the attempt of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress to force them to ‘quit India’ in 1942. ... For this reason, Britain was desperate to keep India (and its army) united.
How many countries are still under British rule?
There remain, however, 14 global territories which remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Many of the former territories of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Why was England most successful in colonizing America?
The British were ultimately more successful than the Dutch and French in colonizing North America because of sheer numbers . ... The rulers back in Europe actually made it very difficult for French and Dutch settlers to obtain and manage land. They tended to be stuck on the old European model of feudal land management.
Why did Europe want to colonize Africa?
Europe saw the colonization of Africa as an opportunity to acquire a surplus population, thus settler colonies were created . With this invasion, many European countries saw Africa as being available to their disposal.
Why did Britain want an empire?
The British wanted an empire for a number of reasons. Firstly, the discovery of the New World provided the opportunity to acquire wealth . ... With each threat to trading routes or British interests, the need to strengthen, often through conquest, became greater. Exploration and sheer inquisitiveness was also a motivation.
What was the main reason for colonization?
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REASONS: A BETTER LIFE Most colonists had faced difficult lives in Britain, Ireland, Scotland, or Germany. They came to the Americas to escape poverty, warfare, political turmoil, famine and disease. They believed colonial life offered new opportunities .
Who colonized America?
Following the first voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, Spain and Portugal established colonies in the New World, beginning the European colonization of the Americas. France and England, the two other major powers of 15th-century Western Europe, employed explorers soon after the return of Columbus’s first voyage.
Who colonized most of the world?
Although Europe represents only about 8 percent of the planet’s landmass, from 1492 to 1914, Europeans conquered or colonized more than 80 percent of the entire world.
