Economic Characteristics of the Age of Royal Absolutism essays

Economic Characteristics of the Age of Royal Absolutism essays During the era known as the Age of Royal Absolutism, many European countries began to look more outside of the realm of their own country. They turned to imperialism in order to gain wealth and power. England, the Dutch Netherlands, France, and Spain competed in North America, Africa, India, and many other areas for supremacy. At times, desire for overseas possession and commerce became so extreme that struggles and disagreements arose between the separate parties. Englands journey into imperialism began on a rough note. Three attempted settlements at Roanoke Island in North America failed due to starvation and disease. In 1607 the British established the first permanent English colony at Jamestown. Within months of their arrival, more than one half of the colonists had died from these same factors; however, the growing of tobacco began to give the colony prosperity. Virginia became Englands first crown colony in 1624, so the king assigned a governor and council to the area. The tobacco industry, which was still growing, caused a need of slavery. This need for slavery is a very important aspect in this battle for overseas commerce. It led to colonization in a totally different area of the world. Africa was another area that held desirable resources for the British; however, they did not become involved until they saw the success the Dutch had had. Their first settlements came in 1700. The main interest in Africa for England was slave trade. The rapidly growing tobacco industry required the acquisition of more slaves at a cheap price, and Africa was able to provide them with what they were in search of. In order to procure these slaves, English colonists took over forts that had previously been owned by Portugal and transposed them into trade stations. Africa was not the only area that the British hesitatingly decide to enter. England constructed colonies in India but only after learning from othe...