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How did the British become involved in the West Indies? 

Why the West Indies?

We have seen how England stretched out into the world under Elizabeth the First and began to enslave African people. 

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Under the Stuarts it would take its next steps. 

Wealth

The area of South America was rich in gold. At this time European countries became more dependant on gold to show how wealthy it was. The chance to get more gold for free tempted many to look across the Atlantic Ocean. 

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Image from Wikipedia commons
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Map of Spanish Empire. 
Wikipedia Commons

Fighting Spain

Spain remained at this time a very powerful empire. It still ruled the seas and was incredibly rich from its colonies. 

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Spain and England were still enemies that harked back to the wars fought over the reformation. 

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The West Indies provided a place for the European powers to gain more wealth and land and to battle each other. 

Religion

The religious clashes of the 16th Century increased both Catholic and Protestant need to spread the message to 'new' parts of the world. Many who travelled to the Americas believed they were 'saving' peoples they found there with their version of Christianity. 

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This was wrapped up in the clash between Catholic Spain and Protestant England. 

Don't forget Sugar.

Go to our page on sugar. Britain was not alone in wanting to grow and export sugar from the Americas to feed the new obsession with sugar. 

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A

History Detective challenge 

Over to you

You have read about 3 factors that took Britain into the Americas. 

  • What do you think was the main factor?

  • Are the factors linked? How so? 

A

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