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Discourses of Western Planting Richard Hakluyt and the Making of the Atlantic World

Hakluyt was born to a merchant father in London in 1552 and he died in 1616. He was a Jack of all trades, as he was an Oxford scholar, a student of Aristotles philosophy, a student of classical literature, had geographical knowledge, he was an author, an editor, a publisher, a clergyman, a parish preacher, a high ecclesiastical official, a consultant to commercial corporations and government ministers, a diplomat and a spy. He often identified himself with Oxford, even years after having finished his studies. For example, on the title page of The Principle Navigations of the English Nation he listed himself as Preacher, and sometimes student of Christ-Church in Oxford. On October 5th, 1584, Richard Hakluyt personally delivered to Elizabeth I a long memorandum supporting Walter Raleghs plan for a settlement in Virginia, although he had never reached its shores. He wrote several texts concerned with navigation and discovery, including Divers Voyages Touching the Discoverie of America and The Principle Navigations. From the 1840s, there was a renewed interest in Hakluyts work, so the Hakluyt Society was founded. Some saw him as the protagonist of nationalistic empire, while others a typical expression of Free trade Optimism. His books were seen as important in advancing geographical knowledge and in promoting confessional, national and material interests. Richard Helgerson believed that Hakluyts writings helped propagate Christianity as well as expand trade and empire. Principle Navigations was regarded by some of Hakluyts contemporary readers as of epic significance, mainly as a spur to heroic action. In the 1630s, George Hakewill wanted to have Principal Navigations translated into Latin for the honour of the English name. James Anthony Froude believed the book to be a collection of the heroic tales of the exploits of the great men in whom the new era was inaugurated; not mythic like the Iliads and the Eddas, but plain broad narratives of substantial facts, which rival legend in interest and grandeur. What the old epics were to the royally or nobly born, this modern epic is to the common people. Historians have abandoned Froudes beliefs, doubting even the religious basis of Hakluyts project, although he(Hakluyt) seemed to believe that the work of the explorers and navigators were under the power of God and had to answer to him (meaning that virtue would be praised and sin punished). His work sent a religious message, although not as Froude believed.

Hakluyt has been seen as an anti-Spanish English nationalist. Philip II inherited the title of King of Portugal. For the English this was frightening. English trades had become dangerous especially wherever the Spanish had extended their empire. The only way to escape them was for the English to embrace the offerings of America. Hakluyt believed that the colonial settlements in North America were their best shot at defeating the Spanish threat. The English could take advantage of the exchange with the Natives and therefore harass the Spanish. He promoted the idea of having colonies in North America as material and economic needs: acquiring raw materials, giving employment to artisans, helping the growth of the navy, sending criminals to live productive lives, growing the population. Hakluyt believed that the English would find gold and spices. However, America provided a small fraction of Englands market. Hakluyts beliefs are similar to Thomas Mores Utopia, as he believes that neither country would ever be poor again. He thought that the Natives possessed the instincts for trade and would prove great traders. Hakluyt was a Preacher of the World of God, being interested in the Bible and the Church, as well as in politics and civil life. While at Oxford, he became a licensed preacher and started but did not complete a Bachelor degree in Divinity. He became interested in cosmography when he visited his older cousin Richard. The older man showed Hakluyt the modern map, pointing to all known seas and territories. They open the Bible and realize that God himself made the world as it is, including America, as that they which go downe to the sea in ships, and occupy by the great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and his woonders in the deepe. Hakluyt believed that God had revealed the existence of America for his own divine purpose. Because of the Tower of Babel, God had scattered the people and changed their language. So this discovery represented the beginning of a new age. Hakluyt knew all about the religious wars and believed that they benefited the spread of Islam. He believed that the war between the Catholics and the Protestants was useless, as they worshiped the same God and Jesus Christ. He believed that they could have solved their differences peacefully. Hakluyt saw the Virginia project as an opportunity to advance Gods glory through the salvation of numerous souls. The Spanish believed that the Natives in America had to be converted to Protestant Christianity. Thomas Harriot was sent on an expedition, in order to convert the settlers of Virginia to the true religion. Hakluyt believed that the end of the world was near and hoped that it would not end in a divine lightning flash. He believed that the Anti-Christ was near them, even condemning the Pope, as he believed he was pretending to rule over the spiritual world. He also condemns the Spanish, as they wanted to achieve universal monarchy. He associates the Spanish with the Babylonians and, by extension, with the Ancient Romans, as oppressive tyrants and destroyers of Gods Temple. He also thinks that the Native Americans are similar to the Jews of Jeremiahs day, while the English were chosen by God. The colonies in

Virginia (and the founding of Jamestown) represented a significant step towards the fulfillment of Gods plan. The new discoveries would aid in increasing the human knowledge step by step and fulfilling Gods plan.

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