1.What motivated Europeans to explore and colonize the Americas in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries?

Answer 1

Mercantilism-- The theory and system of political economy prevailing in Europe after the decline of feudalism, based on national policies of accumulating bullion, establishing colonies and a merchant marine, and developing industry and mining to attain a favorable balance of trade.

The colonies had land and natural resources that the Europeans, especially the English, wanted. They colonized the Americas so that the colonies gave resources that gave profit to the country through trade.

The English made sure that the colonies only traded with the mother country and therefore they could get money and resources from the colonists. This way they did not have to trade with other countries to get the resources they needed and that way they became an enourmously wealthy country.

When Spain funded the trip that we all know so well to America, they believed there to be gold and that was how they first discovered the natural wealth of the countries and many European countries colonized there because of this, though mainly France, Great Britain, and Spain.

Once It was first colonized, many people fled there for religious freedom as they were being persecuted in their homelands. Some people settled for the land and money.

Answer 2

Greed, The desire for religious freedom ( Puritans, Menonites I believe from Germany), Fleeing political persecution, despotism. European governments were not what they are today. Oportunity. Fifteenth century is the 1400's, the sixteenth century is the 1500's. Prisoners were given a 'second chance' in the American colonies to make a life for themselves. Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

Answer 3

There are several reasons:
1. wealth - due to reported discoveries of gold there
2. to spread religion - many Catholic missionaries went there to spread the faith and to claim land for Catholic kings and queens
3. for adventure - some Europeans who did not have any status in Europe, and were willing to leave Europe for a new world and gain possible fame.
4. some to avoid religious persecutions - such as the Puritans, and the Quakers.

Answer 4

They were looking for a quicker passage to India. Remember though, it was the Vikings who discovered North America. They landed in Newfoundland. A Viking settlement was discovered there in the 1960's and confirmed this theory.

Answer 5

Generally speaking:
--desire to spread the size, and thus the power, of a country/empire.
--desire to seek fortune through trade or discovery of precious metals.
--desire to spread Christianity, typically Roman Catholicism.
--desire to make a better life/escape from oppression or debts.

Answer 6

Greed.

Answer 7

Greed!

Answer 8

Power!

Answer 9

Religious intolerance and the lack of a good place to surf.

Answer 10

Profit.