"Some also do grudge at the great increase of people in these days, thinking a necessary brood of cattle far better than a superfluous augmentation of mankind" (Harrison 1586). One way to ease the situation was to induce or force some to settle in the new territories. They would become the workforce in the colonies and reduce the problem back home at the same time. "These petty thieves might be condemned for certain years in the western parties" as indentured servants to provide hard labor and menial tasks (Hakluyt 1584). This was not only an attractive concept for the privileged classes but also for many of the poor or disadvantaged. In the society they left behind they had little hope of ever improving their circumstances. The hardships and threats they would face in the new world were worth the risk for the chance to improve their condition. Many, however, regretted making the journey. "Oh that they were in England without their limbs -- and would not care to lose any limb again to be in England" (Frethorne 1623). Simply put, many would give their left arm to be back in England again.
England's traditional rivals had been exploring the continent for more than a hundred years by the time Jamestown was founded. Italian, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish
explorers had all attempted to dominate North America. These powers each had their own interests in the new world. For some they were religious in nature. Others were seeking riches. It was usually a combination of both to some degree. The most prominent enemy of England's was Spain with her mighty navy. Seeking to establish trade networks and Catholicism among the natives were primary goals. If England had not endeavored to establish a presence on the continent it would have been reduced to second rate status in time. Among the powers vying for control, whoever succeeded would become master for the foreseeable future.
Christopher Columbus's voyage to America in 1492 marked the beginning of an era of exploration and colonization of the eastern seaboard of North America. There is not a single, simple answer...
There were as many reasons for migrating as there were migrants. For some it was a deeply personal choice for religious, political or philosophical reasons. For others it was a matter of
economics or survival. The overcrowded,
poverty and
disease filled, crime ridden cities had become unbearable. Knowing their chances of ever escaping those circumstances were slim many were willing to risk all for even the slightest opportunity. Criminals were sent as indentured servants. But even they could gain their
freedom when their terms had been fulfilled. The
monarchy itself viewed the continent as vital to its survival and went to great lengths to establish itself as the dominant
power. Regardless of the reason, nearly everybody who migrated to the new world viewed it as a chance to start over.
Bibliography
Frethorne, John. "Letter to His
Parents."
Indentured Servitude. www.digitalhistory.uh.edu, 1623.
Fumas, J. The
Americas: A
Social History of the United States. New York: Putnam, 1969.
Hakluyt, R. "Reading 2." Motivations for English Colonization. www.digitalhistory.uh.edu, 1584.
Harrison, W. "Reading 1." Motivations for English Colonization. www.digitalhistory.uh.edu, 1586.
Polk, W.R. The Birth of America: From Before Columbus to the Revolution. New York: Harper Collins, 2006.
Winthrop, J. "A Modell of Christian Charity." Motivations for English Colonization. www.digitialhitoy.uh.edu, 1630.
