In the late 1500s, Sir Humphrey Gilbert helped shape England’s early ideas about building colonies in North America. Unlike earlier explorers who focused mainly on discovery, Gilbert believed England should establish permanent settlements. Although his own efforts were unsuccessful, his vision influenced future English colonization, including later attempts in the New World. What You Will … Read more
A Story of Exploration, Hope, and Mystery In the late 1500s, England was just beginning to explore the wider world. Across the ocean lay lands that Europeans called the “New World,” a place full of unknown peoples, strange landscapes, and exciting opportunities. Among the most important figures in England’s early efforts to settle North America … Read more
A Bridge from Discovery to Settlement When we study early American history, it is easy to jump straight into the story of colonies like Jamestown or Plymouth. But these settlements did not appear out of nowhere. They were the result of many years of exploration, trial and error, and learning from both success and failure. … Read more
A Timeline Journey from First Voyages to the Founding of English America Introduction: A World About to Change In the early 1400s, most Europeans had never traveled far from home. The world beyond Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia was largely unknown to them. But over the next 200 years, bold explorers would set … Read more
