How Did Hakluyt Contribute To English Colonization

Richard Hakluyt was a prominent lawyer who wrote about the numerous possibilities of British expansion across the Atlantic. Hakluyt believed colonization would reap massive benefits for England including religious, political, economic, and strategic advances. Stressing the importance of colonization, Hakluyt argued it is best to establish peaceful relations with Americas’ native populations in hopes that they would also benefit from British settlement and the commerce they would bring to the Americas. Although Hakluyt begins his “Inducements” to future colonizers with the promises of planting the seeds of Christianity in the “infidels” and increasing the force of Christians through the glory of God, his main argument transforms into describing …show more content…
The passage to the colonies through the Atlantic Ocean meant they were not in danger from old enemies like the Spaniards. The English would not have to travel through the hot tropics or frozen seas, but through the temperate climates at all times of the year. The shortness of the voyage estimated to be five to six weeks and the calm climate, according to Hakluyt meant they could make many returns for the reasons of trade which was of great advantage and significance. Navigating the seas and rivers of the voyage would also create many good mariners and skilled Englishmen, desired skill sets in the colonies. Having access to regions that suited England would also allow for regional economic advantages over the Spaniards by consolidating their alliances and furthering them from their …show more content…
Hakluyt writes there will be plenty of food like buffalo and fish in the great rivers in contrast with other foreign trips where there were little gains in their voyages in search of an abundant land rich with resources. The broad rivers near the mainland made it navigable and created fertile land and soil to conduct commerce, farm, and provide a good life by any man’s standards. The same rivers provided a sure, safe, and easy transportation of goods grown to its destination, to or from England. If there was a lack of merchants the plentiful fish and game provided enough food and provisions for sustenance. Hakluyt’s list of the types of migrants that would best populate and develop the colonies emphasizes skilled Englishmen that would use the resources of the Americas