There were colonists, and there were investors. These were not the same people. There was no more economic opportunity for the colonists in the new world than there was back home. There was the opportunity to die prematurely and painfully. Perhaps that was an attraction to the adventurous.
The settlers who came over on the initial three ships were not well-equipped for the life they found in Jamestown. In addition to the "gentlemen", who were not accustomed to manual or skilled labor, they consisted mainly of English farmers and "Eight Dutchmen and Poles" hired in Royal Prussia.[6] Many suffered from saltwater poisoning which led to infection, fevers and dysentery. As a result of these conditions, most of the early settlers died of disease and starvation.
Glassmaking was one of the reasons given. Is it more likely that in their hearts of hearts the colonists believed that:
1. They were going to be able to manufacture, and export to Europe, glass from the New World at a lower price/quality than that from European glass manufacturers.
or
2. They wanted to believe that, while possessing deeper motives involving change-of-scenery.
.
Do you believe that you would have been able to make and ship glass cheaper in the New World than to make the same in England? Does nothing sound fishy to you about that?
Do you believe you would have gone to the New World if you would be hungry?
Maybe the idea of danger, excitement, etc. appealed. Maybe it was the motivator. But either way, people went because they thought life would be better.
