European exploration and colonization of the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries were strongly influenced by religion.
Many explorers were eager to spread Christianity, especially Catholicism. This was a big reason why they set out on their journeys.
The Reconquista: In 1492, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella finished the Reconquista, which meant they took back Spain from Muslim rule. This made them excited about spreading their faith. That same year, Christopher Columbus embarked on his famous journey, motivated by the desire to share Christianity with new lands.
Protestant Reformation: The Protestant Reformation happened from 1517 to 1648. It created competition between Catholic and Protestant countries. Nations like England and France wanted to set up colonies to spread Protestant beliefs. For example, the English wanted to create a "New Jerusalem" in America, which led to the founding of Virginia in 1607.
Missions and Conversions: Religious groups like the Jesuits, Franciscans, and Dominicans were important in the colonization efforts. By 1700, many Catholic missions were established across the Americas. It’s estimated that around 60,000 indigenous people converted to Catholicism in Spanish territories.
Religious Persecution: Many religious minorities, such as the Puritans fleeing from England, moved to the New World to find religious freedom. During the Great Migration from 1629 to 1640, about 80,000 Puritans came to America.
In summary, religious beliefs were closely linked with political and economic reasons, shaping how Europeans explored and settled in the Americas.
European exploration and colonization of the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries were strongly influenced by religion.
Many explorers were eager to spread Christianity, especially Catholicism. This was a big reason why they set out on their journeys.
The Reconquista: In 1492, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella finished the Reconquista, which meant they took back Spain from Muslim rule. This made them excited about spreading their faith. That same year, Christopher Columbus embarked on his famous journey, motivated by the desire to share Christianity with new lands.
Protestant Reformation: The Protestant Reformation happened from 1517 to 1648. It created competition between Catholic and Protestant countries. Nations like England and France wanted to set up colonies to spread Protestant beliefs. For example, the English wanted to create a "New Jerusalem" in America, which led to the founding of Virginia in 1607.
Missions and Conversions: Religious groups like the Jesuits, Franciscans, and Dominicans were important in the colonization efforts. By 1700, many Catholic missions were established across the Americas. It’s estimated that around 60,000 indigenous people converted to Catholicism in Spanish territories.
Religious Persecution: Many religious minorities, such as the Puritans fleeing from England, moved to the New World to find religious freedom. During the Great Migration from 1629 to 1640, about 80,000 Puritans came to America.
In summary, religious beliefs were closely linked with political and economic reasons, shaping how Europeans explored and settled in the Americas.