5. Raleigh wanted to establish colonies for the purpose of preying on the Spanish treasure fleets
When Walter Raleigh applied to his Sovereign Queen Elizabeth for the right to establish colonies in the New World, his eye was on the treasure being acquired by Spain. Raleigh envisioned English bases in the New World from which English ships could intercept the Spanish galleons, relieving them of the vast treasures which were enriching the Spanish Empire. As Elizabeth played a coy game with the monarchs of Europe, using the potential of marriage to her as a diplomatic foil, she entertained the idea of weakening Spain and France through the establishment of an overseas empire. Thus she was intrigued by Raleigh’s proposals, and approved of them, though quietly.