Question

What were two major reasons for Europeans to colonize the American continent?

freedom from taxesreligious persecutionneed for fameeconomic gain

Answer 1

I think firstly that the decision to colonise the America's starts out as a great race between England, Spain, France and Portugal when Pope Alexander VI declares that Spain and Portugal have a right to carve up the world anyway they like. Which of course does not please Britain and France.

What really heats up the race is the economic situation in Britain and the war against Spain. With a poor economy, british merchantmen turn to looting Spanish gold ships returning from the Americas. Its so profitable, that rich aristocrats - even the queen herself, begin sponsoring looting by privateers such as Francis Drake.

When Elizabeth decides to grant royal charters for the exploration of north america, it really takes off. By this time the French have already started to make roads into North America and Canada.

But i think the real driving force for colonisation is the religious wars tearing Europe apart, particularly Elizabeth's persecution of Catholics as well as persecution in Europe of non-Catholics, who are pushed to immigrate out of Europe to escape persecution.