What was the main reason for British exploration and colonization of North America? (1 point) Responses To find gold To find gold To spread Catholicism To spread Catholicism To increase wealth through mercantilism To increase wealth through mercantilism To build a strong alliance with the Spanish
The main reason for British exploration and colonization of North America was to increase wealth through mercantilism. British colonizers sought to establish colonies in the Americas to exploit the natural resources and create economic opportunities for the British Empire.
The main reason for British exploration and colonization of North America was to increase wealth through mercantilism.
The main reason for British exploration and colonization of North America was to increase wealth through mercantilism.
To understand this, we need to look at the historical context of the time. In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, European nations were engaged in fierce competition for resources and trade routes. This period, known as the Age of Exploration, was driven by a desire to expand and secure economic dominance.
One key concept during this time was mercantilism, an economic system that emphasized accumulating wealth through trade. In this system, colonies played a crucial role, as they provided raw materials for the mother country and served as captive markets for its manufactured goods.
Therefore, British exploration and colonization of North America were primarily motivated by the desire to establish colonies that could supply valuable resources, such as timber, fish, fur, and later on, tobacco and sugar. By exploiting these resources and establishing trade networks, the British expected to increase their wealth and strengthen their position as a world power.
It is worth noting that while individual explorers may have had personal motivations (such as the quest for gold), the overarching goal of British colonization efforts was driven by the economic benefits tied to mercantilism.