WGU C121 Task 1 | Passed on First Attempt |Latest
Update with Complete Solution
Student: James Calvert Course: C121
Student ID: 000381935
Mentor: Shandon Eguchi
Task 1
A. Explain the reasons for English colonization (suggested length of 2–3 paragraphs) by doing the
following:
1. Discuss the political motivations for English imperialism.
After Columbus discovered the Americas, the race for European countries to accumulate newly
discovered wealth occurred. European countries sought to compete with the likes of the Ming dynasty, the
Ottoman Empire, and the Mongolian Empire, who, at the time, were the most extensive powers in the
known civilized world.
Initially, Spain was the first to prosper from the new world's riches. Discovering gold and silver, making
them the wealthiest country in Europe. Soon after, France sailed to the new world to find their riches,
which they could do through fur trapping and trading. Even the Dutch had set sail to the new world,
hoping to find a quicker passage to the Orient. Instead, they, too, found riches in trapping and trading
beaver pelts. At that time, beaver hats were a prevalent fashion trend that brought great wealth.
Queen Elizabeth of England witnessed Spain, her biggest rival at the time, the Army and Armata, increase
in strength and size because of the wealth they brought back from the New World. Because of this, Queen
Elizabeth feared the balance of power would shift to Spain. Because of this, she commissioned an
Englishman to set sail to the new world to establish English colonies. Queen Elizabeth did this for two
reasons. One was to stop the Spanish from accumulating more wealth by taking over the lands and
shipping lanes. Two, to find riches to increase the English empire's wealth to raise the Royal Navy above
the Spanish Armada.
The early English settlers were less fortunate than their rivals in the early beginnings of establishing
colonies. However, soon, they discovered how fertile the New World soil was and were able to cultivate
dominant crops, which led to fortunes being made. Because of this newfound wealth, the Queens Royal
Navy trumped the Spanish Armada, which led to the English Empire's domination and rapid expansion
through the known world.
2. Describe the social pressures that contributed to the English colonization of North America.
The recent success in the English Colonies brought great wealth and abundant food back to England. The
increase in wealth and food had a cascading effect on the population of England. This led to rapid
inflation in the English economy. The vast population surge caused an increase in the labor force, which
caused wages to drop.
There was a dramatic change in the religious landscape occurring in the country during the same time.
Decades later, after King Henry the 8th separated from the Catholic church, sparked the protestant
Reformation. The Reformation led to the formation of many different denominations. When King James
took over the throne of England, he discovered that the Monarchy held the power of the DeVine. In so
doing, anyone who did not conform could be arrested and imprisoned. This caused those seeking to avoid
religious persecution to migrate to the New World Colonies. It also gave those out for work and starving a
chance at wealth and success.
Update with Complete Solution
Student: James Calvert Course: C121
Student ID: 000381935
Mentor: Shandon Eguchi
Task 1
A. Explain the reasons for English colonization (suggested length of 2–3 paragraphs) by doing the
following:
1. Discuss the political motivations for English imperialism.
After Columbus discovered the Americas, the race for European countries to accumulate newly
discovered wealth occurred. European countries sought to compete with the likes of the Ming dynasty, the
Ottoman Empire, and the Mongolian Empire, who, at the time, were the most extensive powers in the
known civilized world.
Initially, Spain was the first to prosper from the new world's riches. Discovering gold and silver, making
them the wealthiest country in Europe. Soon after, France sailed to the new world to find their riches,
which they could do through fur trapping and trading. Even the Dutch had set sail to the new world,
hoping to find a quicker passage to the Orient. Instead, they, too, found riches in trapping and trading
beaver pelts. At that time, beaver hats were a prevalent fashion trend that brought great wealth.
Queen Elizabeth of England witnessed Spain, her biggest rival at the time, the Army and Armata, increase
in strength and size because of the wealth they brought back from the New World. Because of this, Queen
Elizabeth feared the balance of power would shift to Spain. Because of this, she commissioned an
Englishman to set sail to the new world to establish English colonies. Queen Elizabeth did this for two
reasons. One was to stop the Spanish from accumulating more wealth by taking over the lands and
shipping lanes. Two, to find riches to increase the English empire's wealth to raise the Royal Navy above
the Spanish Armada.
The early English settlers were less fortunate than their rivals in the early beginnings of establishing
colonies. However, soon, they discovered how fertile the New World soil was and were able to cultivate
dominant crops, which led to fortunes being made. Because of this newfound wealth, the Queens Royal
Navy trumped the Spanish Armada, which led to the English Empire's domination and rapid expansion
through the known world.
2. Describe the social pressures that contributed to the English colonization of North America.
The recent success in the English Colonies brought great wealth and abundant food back to England. The
increase in wealth and food had a cascading effect on the population of England. This led to rapid
inflation in the English economy. The vast population surge caused an increase in the labor force, which
caused wages to drop.
There was a dramatic change in the religious landscape occurring in the country during the same time.
Decades later, after King Henry the 8th separated from the Catholic church, sparked the protestant
Reformation. The Reformation led to the formation of many different denominations. When King James
took over the throne of England, he discovered that the Monarchy held the power of the DeVine. In so
doing, anyone who did not conform could be arrested and imprisoned. This caused those seeking to avoid
religious persecution to migrate to the New World Colonies. It also gave those out for work and starving a
chance at wealth and success.
