Which statement accurately describes the reasons for establishing Plymouth and Jamestown
To determine the accurate reasons for establishing Plymouth and Jamestown, we need to examine historical facts. The establishment of these two colonies played a significant role in the early colonization of North America.
1. Jamestown: Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company of London. The primary reasons behind its establishment were:
a. Economic Gain: The Virginia Company aimed to establish a profitable English colony in North America. They sought to exploit the natural resources, particularly gold and other valuable commodities, in order to generate wealth for the investors.
b. Expansion and Competition: The English wanted to expand their colonial presence and compete with other European powers, such as Spain and France, which were already establishing colonies in the Americas. Jamestown was seen as a strategic foothold for the English in North America.
c. Search for a Northwest Passage: The English hoped to find a route to Asia through North America, known as the Northwest Passage. This would provide them with direct access to valuable trade routes and resources.
2. Plymouth: Plymouth was founded in 1620 by a group of English separatists, known as the Pilgrims, who sought religious freedom. The reasons behind its establishment were:
a. Religious Freedom: The Pilgrims were dissatisfied with the religious practices and restrictions enforced in England. They wanted the freedom to practice their own form of Christianity, separate from the established Church of England.
b. Mayflower Compact: The Pilgrims aimed to establish a self-governing colony based on democratic principles. They believed in creating a community where each member had a say in decision-making, and the Mayflower Compact was the first governing document, creating a social contract and framework for their new settlement.
So, to summarize, Jamestown was primarily established for economic gain, expansion, and search for a Northwest Passage, while Plymouth was founded to escape religious persecution and create a self-governing community.
Economic motives prompted colonization in Virginia. The Virginia Company of London, organized in 1606, sponsored the Virginia Colony. Organizers of the company wanted to expand English trade and obtain a wider market for English manufactured goods. They naturally hoped for financial profit from their investment in shares of company stock.
Freedom from religious persecution motivated the Pilgrims to leave England and settle in Holland, where there was more religious freedom. However, after a number of years the Pilgrims felt that their children were being corrupted by the liberal Dutch lifestyle and were losing their English heritage. News of the English Colony in Virginia motivated them to leave Holland and settle in the New World