How did the Reformation in Great Britain affect the colonization of the New World? Explain
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http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&ei=bwVRS7u_J8zOlAfe2cW2Cg&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&ved=0CAYQBSgA&q=How+did+the+Reformation+in+Great+Britain+affect+colonization+in+the+New+World&spell=1
http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/Papers/Reformation.HTML
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_colonization_of_the_Americas
The Reformation in Great Britain had a significant impact on the colonization of the New World. To understand this connection, we need to examine the historical context and the underlying factors that contributed to the colonization efforts.
1. Religious Strife in Europe: The Reformation, which began in the 16th century, resulted in a religious divide between Protestants and Catholics. This division led to religious conflicts and tensions throughout Europe.
2. Anglican Church: In England, King Henry VIII established the Anglican Church (Church of England) after breaking away from the Catholic Church. This move had both political and religious motivations, as it allowed the English monarchy to exert greater control over religious matters.
3. Protestant Identity and Expansion: The rise of Protestantism in England generated a sense of religious identity and a desire to spread the Protestant faith. Protestant denominations, such as Puritans and Separatists, emerged and sought religious freedom, free from the influence of the Anglican Church.
4. Jamestown and Plymouth: Against this backdrop, the colonization of the New World commenced. The Jamestown settlement in Virginia, established in 1607, and the Mayflower Compact signed by the Pilgrims when they arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620, were both influenced by religious motives. While Jamestown was predominantly an economic venture, seeking wealth through resources like tobacco, the Pilgrims sought a new land for religious freedom.
5. Protestant Colonization: The Protestant majority in England played a crucial role in promoting colonization efforts. Various Protestant groups sought to establish their own colonies to practice their religion freely and create societies based on Protestant ideals.
6. Religious Conflict in the New World: As colonies expanded in the New World, religious tensions continued. The English colonies, namely New England, became predominantly Protestant, with communities centered around Puritan beliefs. This contrasted with the Catholic colonies, such as Maryland, where religious conflict and tension existed between different Christian denominations.
In summary, the Reformation in Great Britain influenced the colonization of the New World by shaping religious identities, generating a desire for religious freedom, and providing a motivation for various Protestant groups to seek new lands. These factors fueled the colonization efforts and led to the establishment of predominantly Protestant colonies in North America, impacting the religious and cultural landscape of the New World.