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England began colonizing North America in 1585.

Protestant nation with widespread access to the Bible.

The English Reformation's roots can be traced back to the 14th century when John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English.

In the 16th century, William Tyndale also translated the Bible into English and produced the first printed English Bible.

Henry VIII's break with the Roman church in the 1530s contributed to England's readiness for religious change.

Henry VII, while leaving the Roman church for personal reasons, didn't significantly alter official church doctrine, making himself the head of the English church.

Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) marked a period when the English had access to the Bible in their own language.

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In 1497, John Cabot, sailing for England, explored the eastern coast of North America from Labrador to Virginia.

Cabot became the first explorer in the Modern Age to set foot on the mainland of North America.

His exploration of "Newfoundland" gave England its first solid claim to territory in the New World.

In 1576, Queen Elizabeth sent explorer Sir Martin Frobisher in search of the "Northwest Passage," a supposed water route through North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Queen Elizabeth hoped to break the Spanish monopoly on overseas trade by finding this passage.

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Religious Freedom: In the seventeenth century, England had one recognized church, the Church of England (Anglican church). Dissenters, including Catholics and Puritans, were persecuted because they opposed the official church. Some Puritans, known as Separatists, withdrew to form their own churches, seeking religious freedom. This desire for religious liberty motivated many dissenters to emigrate to America.

Political Freedom: Between 1603 and 1649, English kings attempted to establish an absolute monarchy, disregarding English law and seeking absolute authority. This conflict between the Crown and Parliament prompted freedom-loving English individuals to emigrate to America, where they hoped to escape the centralized power of monarchs and experience political freedom.

Economic Freedom: The seventeenth-century English population faced economic challenges, including inflation, land shortages, and unemployment. The flow of Spanish gold and silver into England drove up prices, and the Enclosure Movement displaced many peasant farmers, contributing to unemployment. To escape economic hardships, some English citizens sought economic freedom in the American colonies.

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Sovereigns' Motives: Unlike France and Spain, English sovereigns initially had limited interest in colonizing America. When they did, their primary goal was to bring wealth, honor, and prestige to England.

Private Initiative: English colonization in America was primarily driven by private individuals and businesses rather than government initiatives. Private investors played a significant role in sponsoring and founding English colonies.

Businessmen's Goals: Many English colonies were established or supported by businessmen who aimed to make a profit. They saw the colonies as opportunities to benefit the entire nation by helping settlers establish themselves, creating jobs, encouraging trade, and bringing new wealth to England.

Settlers' Reasons: Those who chose to live in America had various motivations. Some were attracted by the allure of adventure and the potential for financial gain. However, the most potent motivation among settlers was a desire for various forms of freedom, including religious, political, and economic freedom.

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Early Attempts at Settlements in Virgnia

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Early Attempts at Settlements in Virgnia

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Failed Attempts: England's initial efforts to establish settlements in the New World were unsuccessful. In 1578, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh embarked on a fleet bound for the New World, but bad weather forced them to return to England. Gilbert attempted again five years later but perished at sea during a storm.

Exploration of Newfoundland: In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh sponsored an expedition that explored Albemarle Sound and Roanoke Island, naming the territory "Virginia" in honor of Queen Elizabeth I.

Roanoke Settlement: In 1587, Raleigh sent John White with a group of over 100 settlers to establish a colony on Chesapeake Bay. They settled at Roanoke, where White's daughter gave birth to the first English child born in what would become the United States.

Mysterious Disappearance: After a month in the colony, John White returned to England for supplies. Upon his return in 1590, he found the entire Roanoke colony had disappeared, with only a few relics and the word "Croatoan" carved on a tree. The fate of the Roanoke colony remains a historical mystery.

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The "Virginia" Region: The long stretch of land along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to New England became known as "Virginia."

Failed Colonization Attempts: The English had previously made unsuccessful attempts at colonization in America, including experiences led by Sir Walter Raleigh. These failures did not deter their determination to establish colonies.

Formation of Joint-Stock Companies: English businessmen organized joint-stock companies to support colonization ventures. These companies allowed several investors to pool their resources and share profits.

Founding of Jamestown: In April 1607, an expedition of over 100 men and boys sponsored by the London Company set sail for Virginia. They arrived in Chesapeake Bay and sailed up the James River, where they established a settlement called Jamestown in May 1607. Jamestown marked the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Virginia Charter: In 1606, King James I granted a charter permitting two joint-stock companies to undertake colonization in Virginia. The London Company was responsible for settling southern Virginia, while the Plymouth Company focused on northern Virginia.

Challenges: The chosen site for Jamestown was believed to be defensible, but the early years in the colony were marked by hardships and difficulties.

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The first winter

On December 21,1620 the Pilgrims finally stepped ashore at a place called New Plymouth

The Plymouth Company: The Plymouth Company was a competitor of the London Company in the early colonization efforts in America. After an unsuccessful attempt to establish a colony in present-day Maine, it reorganized in 1620 under a new name, the "Council for New England."

Council for New England: Under the name "Council for New England," the group made efforts to establish colonies in Maine and New Hampshire. However, these attempts were met with little success.

First Permanent Settlement in New England: Interestingly, the first permanent settlement in New England was not sponsored by the Council for New England. This group did not intend to colonize within its territorial boundaries.

Persecution of Dissenters: The text also mentions the persecution of dissenters, particularly the Separatists, during the reign of King James I. King James opposed religious freedom and aimed to suppress those who questioned his religious and political authority.

Scrooby Congregation: A specific Separatist group known as the Scrooby congregation organized an independent church in Scrooby, England, in 1606, under the leadership of Pastor John Robinson.

Refuge in Holland: When persecution intensified in England, the Scrooby congregation decided to flee to Holland, where they could practice their religion freely. In 1609, Pastor Robinson led about 300 individuals to the Dutch city of Leyden, where they enjoyed religious freedom and economic success.

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Virginia never did prosper as a business venture

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* House of Burgesses
*Bacons Rebellion
*The Mayflower Compact

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who married the Indian princess Pocahontas,daughter of the powerful chieftain Powhatan

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The Pilgrims situation gradually began to improve with the help of friendly Indians, particularly onw named Squanto, who had visited England and learned to speak english there

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Plymouth was also blessed with wise leaders

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served for many years as the Pilgrims pastor.

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Bradford wrote it, published in 1856, long after his death, the first american history book.

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the pilgrims chosed him to be the first governor

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when John Craver died, they chose Bradford to take his place. A man known for wisdom,patience, and kindness, Bradford was highly respected by the residents of Plymouth and jeld the office of governor for over 30 years