Humanism and America

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Exploring the influence of Renaissance humanism on English colonization, this study delves into a variety of writings, from Thomas More to the Virginia Company. Andrew Fitzmaurice reveals that English expansion was deeply rooted in neo-classical ideals, addressing motivations like wealth, honour, and the quest for liberty, while also confronting the ethical dilemmas surrounding the dispossession of Native Americans. Contrary to common beliefs, the early colonial tradition often resisted profit-driven motives, only later evolving into a more aggressive colonial ideology.