After Columbus "
found" the
New World, England did not start to
settle right away as other
countries did. In the 1530s,
Spain was
extracting tons of
gold and
silver from
Mexico.
In 1570, the Spanish added
huge mines in
Peru, resulting in $2
billion a year. People saw
Spain in this quote: "Spain was
poor because it was
rich." Spain was the
dominant power
and tended to
neglect its own resources. Because they were getting so much money, they just
payed off
other countries for their supplies with this gold, and as a result
inflation
came about and
boosted the
economy.
How did England become to benefit from all this? England around that time was having an
internal conflict over who would rule. This was called the "War of the Roses" and occurred
in the late 15th century between 1455-1485. In the 16th century England was poor. King
Henry VIII was fighting a war between Scotland and France, draining the supplies on
weaponry and soldiers. To gain more money they allied with Spain against France.
As Queen Elizabeth came along (1558-1603), England wanted to promote Protestants. This
led into direct conflict with the most powerful Catholic country - Spain. Elizabeth was
advised to mess with the Spanish ships that were bringing back the goods obtained from
the New World. So the Queen started a campaign of harassment by privateers. These
privateers were otherwise known as pirates, but Queen Elizabeth called them her "sea dogs."
Among these privateers was Sir Francis Drake, whom had began circumnavigation of the globe
in 1577. He would stop in Spanish sea ports and raid them.
The turning point began in 1588 when Spain was having problems in the Netherlands. Spain
sent out their large naval force (the Spanish Armada). Spain had the largest navy at the time
with huge ships all over. Elizabeth sends her English navy, pathetic in size to Spain's but
with smaller ships that had more agility. War ensues and the English win, ending the Spanish
domination in Europe and begins the ascendancy of England in Europe. England now becomes
the dominant power in Europe. In the late 16th century, England decides that settlement of
the New World is a good idea.