Travelers and Migrants

Migration Patterns

During the 17th century, significant European migration to America occurred, with English colonies relying less on Indigenous labor.

Economic and Social Motivations

Overpopulation and unemployment in England encouraged migration to relieve domestic pressures and economically benefit from colonial resources.

Richard Hakluyt

A pivotal figure in promoting English colonization who argued for overseas English communities to alleviate population pressures.

A Discourse on Western Planting

A document advocating for colonization for economic benefits and extending English societal structures to the Americas.

London Port Register (1635)

Recorded the departure of 4,700 people, mostly young men, to the colonies seeking opportunities.

Economic Disparities

Stories highlighting motivations behind migration, particularly among younger sons under primogeniture.

Indentured Servitude

A system where individuals worked for a period, typically seven years, in exchange for passage to the colonies.

Living Conditions and Survival

Many indentured servants faced harsh conditions and diseases that jeopardized their survival before fulfilling their terms.

Religious Motivations

Groups like the Puritans migrated to practice their faith freely, influencing the cultural landscape of New England.

Richard Mather and Religious Conflict

Highlights religious motivations in migration, contrasting with economic ones.

Challenges in French Colonies

French colonies faced challenges attracting settlers due to fears of harsh conditions and conflicts with Indigenous peoples.

Divergent Development

English colonies developed into vibrant extensions of England, characterized by significant settlement, unlike struggling French colonies.