Movement to America

The Early 1600s

Why did the English move to America? To answer this question, many people picture weary pilgrims, shuffling off a massive wooden boat onto a rocky beach. Their faces are worn with fatigue from their unbearable voyage, but their complexion is glowing with hope for a new life of freedom in a new world. They took the road untraveled, to an alien land for one thing: religion.

But what most people don't know, is that religion is only one motive for moving in with the Indians. One of the main reasons for leaving the comfortable rolling farmlands and crowed city streets of England for the wild jungles of America was the living conditions in England.

First off, the population skyrocketed. In the course of 100 years, there was an increase of 2,000,000 people. This means that England's tiny little island was becoming crowded.

To add to the stress of over population, something occurred called the Enclosure Movement. Farmers and peasants made up 75% of England's population at the time. As everyone knows, farmers need land to grow their crops, and in turn make a living. Due to this movement, the farmer's land was taken from them to provide grazing land for the sheep, who produced wool. Looking over the records, in the first years of the 17Th century, wool production in England increased.

Now that these farmers had no land, and no money, they were forced to move to the city streets. Now the population was bloated. Beggars and starving families occupied the streets. So you can imagine why a new world, a fresh start, might be appealing to some.

Up in high classes, England was keeping a close eye on Spain. This rival country was gaining overwhelming success in America. They had a stream of gold flowing in across the Atlantic. The English began to grow jealous. Their palms sweated to have a chunk of that rich American soil in their grasp.

The rich citizens of England wanted control of America's golden land. Farmers and people who had lost their livelihood where willing to leave the streets of England for a new life, in a new world.