Why did England colonize the New World later than the rest of Europe? What political and religious conditions had created a century of conflict in England? What factors finally pushed the English west, across the ocean?

Basically, the British didn't see the need to send their citizens abroad to colonize the New World in the 16th century. The Spanish looked for gold and other precious metals in the Caribbean and Latin America which they claimed. The British knew there weren't precious metals in North America.

Check these sites for more information.

http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_I/colonizati_cb.html

http://www.richmondancestry.org/colonial.shtml

http://www.lepg.org/sixteen.htm

http://members.aol.com/noctifer01/private/VampHome/LbN/History/timeline16.html

England colonized the New World later than the rest of Europe due to a combination of political, religious, and social factors. To understand the delay, we need to examine the century of conflict and the subsequent factors that encouraged English exploration and colonization.

1. Political and Religious Conditions:

In the 16th century, England experienced significant political and religious turmoil, known as the English Reformation. This period was characterized by a struggle between the monarchy and the Catholic Church. Henry VIII, the English monarch, sought to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, leading to a break with the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. Subsequent monarchs, including Edward VI and Mary I, shifted England's religious identity between Protestantism and Catholicism, causing instability and conflict within the country.

2. Century of Conflict:

The century following the English Reformation was marked by various power struggles and conflicts. Notably, the religious tensions continued during the reign of Elizabeth I, who established a moderate Protestant Church of England but faced opposition from Catholics. Additionally, England was engaged in numerous wars with European powers like Spain, France, and the Dutch Republic.

The internal conflicts and external engagements limited England's resources and attention, diverting them from exploring and colonizing the New World.

3. Factors Pushing the English West:

a. Economic Motives: By the late 16th century, England witnessed a period of economic transformation. The enclosure movement displaced many rural workers, creating social unrest. Seeking new economic opportunities, merchants and investors turned their attention to overseas ventures. They believed that colonization could provide new markets, raw materials, and profits to fuel England's development.

b. Technological Advances: During this time, navigational technologies, such as the astrolabe and improved maritime instruments, emerged. These advancements, coupled with the influence of the Scientific Revolution, sparked an interest in exploration and the search for new trade routes.

c. Rivalry with Spain: Spain had established vast colonies and was amassing immense wealth from its New World territories. This provoked English interest in challenging Spanish dominance and securing a share of the New World's riches. Privateers, such as Francis Drake, looted Spanish ships and settlements, encouraging further English exploration and colonization.

d. Search for Religious Freedom: Religious conflicts and persecution in England also played a role. Dissenting groups, including Puritans and Separatists, sought the freedom to practice their faith without interference. This desire for religious autonomy drove some English settlers to seek refuge and establish colonies in North America, later leading to the establishment of Plymouth Colony in 1620.

In summary, England's delayed colonization of the New World can be attributed to a mixture of political and religious conflicts, external engagements, economic motives, technological advancements, rivalry with Spain, and the quest for religious freedom. These factors eventually pushed the English to venture westward and establish colonies in North America.