The most important motivation for the English government to support the exploration and settlement of land in North America was...
a. the desire to spread Christianity
b. the need to separate from the Catholic church
c. the need to protect England from invasion
d. the desire to increase the wealth of England
Would the answer be D?
Yes.
Yes, the most important motivation for the English government to support the exploration and settlement of land in North America was indeed the desire to increase the wealth of England.
To arrive at this answer, we can consider the historical context of English colonization in North America. During the 16th and 17th centuries, England experienced significant economic changes known as the "Commercial Revolution," which included various developments such as the growth of trade and the emergence of capitalism.
The English government saw colonization as an opportunity to expand its economic power and accumulate wealth. England sought to establish colonies in North America to access new resources, such as raw materials and precious metals, which could be exploited for trade and profit. By establishing colonies, England hoped to gain a competitive edge in the global economy and increase its overall wealth.
While the desire to spread Christianity (option a) and the need to protect England from invasion (option c) were also factors that influenced English colonization, the primary motivation behind the effort was economic gain. The need to separate from the Catholic church (option b) was not a major motivation for English colonization in North America. Therefore, the correct answer is option d, the desire to increase the wealth of England.