Before England could settle the New World, it needed a Middle Class to fund private settlements and a millitary to protect those investments. Although the Spanish had a hundred year head start the English would in turn dominate the New World. This was all set in motion by King Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy.
King Henry VIII broke from the Cathloc Church because he wanted a divorce. While leaving he seized wealth by taking 1/4 of the land. He gave the land to his supporters who became the middle class. The nobles opposed the siezing of land but did nothin gright away. Therefore the Act of Supremacy created the middle class. The middle class now had money to spend in the Europe.
The Price Revolution had now started. Because of this Spanish money spread in Europe. Because people were making money wide spread inflation had started. Now European goods became expensiveto english nobles. Nobles had no new world gold and didn’t benefit from inflation. Because nobles were going broke they asked Queen Elizabeth to raise the rent . The Queen later said “No!” This allowed the middle class to became rich. The middle class made mone by buying at old english price. and investing in Europe products. Nobles were tied to fix lands. The nobles decided to do something.
The nobles closed all their land and this was called. The inclosure movement. The nobles then fenced in all their land. There fore peasants were forced to seek new work an a new life. The middle class had a investment to the new world. One promblem was the spanish controlled the seas.
England competed with Spain for the seas. Power hungry Prince Phillip II of Spain wanted more. In a hope to increase power he proposed to Queen Elizabeth. Once again the Queen said “no.” Outraged King Phillip sent his fleet the Armada to attack England. However the smaller ships of England destroyed the armada in 1588. Now England had the sea controll for the next 400 years.
