Why 17th-century England suddenly turned its gaze toward the New World

Cultures · Published 23 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: By 1600, England was experiencing a perfect storm of economic pressure and social unrest. High living costs and shifting land laws left many restless at home, while the crown sought new ways to challenge the dominance of established empires like Spain.

The colonization of the Atlantic seaboard was not driven by a single factor but by a confluence of political, religious, and economic motives. By 1600, English labor and capital had become increasingly fluid as people sought more profitable opportunities. Domestically, a sharp rise in prices and living costs created significant restlessness. Furthermore, the 'enclosure' movement—specifically the increase in sheep grazing and the fencing off of former common lands—displaced many people from the soil who previously relied on those lands for survival.

The demographic shift was also shaped by military history. Bold young men, including younger sons of the gentry, found themselves without the steady occupation they had enjoyed during the wars with Spain. In a time of peace, these individuals looked abroad for new ventures. Simultaneously, there was a strategic desire to increase the power and affluence of the English homeland by creating competition for the lands held by Spain and Portugal.

This expansion was facilitated by the rise of great commercial trading companies chartered by the crown. While entities like the Muscovy Company (1555) and the East India Company (1600) focused on Russia and Asia, King James I granted two pivotal charters in 1606 for the American coast. These led to the formation of the Virginia Company of London and the Plymouth Company. Under these arrangements, shareholders provided capital and settlers while controlling production, though the crown maintained ultimate government authority through councils.

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