Question

List three reasons why the English colonies were settled.

Answer 1

1.Religious freedom, 2.Economic gain, 3.Enslavement

Answer 2

Answer

1. Nobles had been created in great numbers
2. There wereno viable contract/business systems
3. The means by which inheritance worked left many disenfranchised from family lands

Explanation

There were three reasons for this:

1. Nobles had been created in great numbers, especially after 1600 (they existed long before) but their need of wealthy status had moved them to consolidate land to use government salaries, buy land from distressed peasants or from rural people etc.
2. There were no viable contract/business systems existed by which poorer farmers could hold land, get a mortgage, earn enough to pay i. Indeed interest-earning credit was, for a considerable time, considered "usury" which was mortal (i.e. salvation losing) sin.  
3. The means by which inheritance worked left many disenfranchised from family lands.  The eldest son got the whole show. Families needed to be big because death was omnipresent and the chances of living were less around 1680.