England in America, 1580-1652

is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work chronicles the early attempts and eventual establishment of English colonies in America, focusing on the significant events and figures contributing to the coloniza tion from the late 16th century to the mid-17th century. It provides an ex ploration of influential personalities like Sir Walter Raleigh and their pur suits, as well as the difficulties faced by settlers. The opening of the book presents a detailed context for English colonization, emphasizing the rivalry with Spain and painting a picture of the political, religious, and economic climate in England that fueled the desire for new territories. Tyler discusses the numerous failed attempts at establishing colonies, particularly those by Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh, illustrating the motivations behind these efforts, such as competition for wealth and resources. The text positions these early efforts against the backdrop of shifting societal condi tionsinbothEnglandandAmerica,settingthestageforadeeperexploration of the successful founding of Virginia and other colonies. (1 Up to the last third of the sixteenth century American history was the his tory of Spanish conquest, settlement, and exploration. Except for the fee ble Portuguese settlements in Brazil and at the mouth of the La Plata, from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, around the eastern and western coasts of South America, and northward to the Gulf of California, all was Spanish main-land and islands alike. The subject of this volume is the bold assertion of England to a rivalry in European waters and on American coasts.How came England, with four millions of people, to enter into a quarter of a century of war with the greatest power in Europe? The answer is that Spain was already decaying, while England was instinct with the spirit of progress and development. The contrast grew principally out of the differ ent attitude of the two nations towards the wealth introduced into Europe from America, and towards the hitherto established religion of the Chris tian world. While the treasure from Mexico and Peru enabled Charles V. and Philip II. to carry on great wars and to establish an immense prestige at the different courts of Europe,itcreatedaspeculativespiritwhichdrewtheir subjects away from sober employment. For this reason manufacturing and agriculture, for which Spain was once so distinguished, were neglected; and thekingdom,thinnedofpeopleanddecreasinginindustry,grewdependent for supplies upon the neighboring countries.[1