Final answer:
The first English attempt at colonization in 1585 was on Roanoke Island, which is known as the "Lost Colony" due to the disappearance of its residents. This initiative was part of England's early efforts to establish a presence in the New World and compete with other European empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The First English Attempt at Colonization in 1585
The first English attempt at colonization in 1585 was on Roanoke Island. England's early colonization endeavors were spearheaded by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who was granted a charter by Queen Elizabeth in 1578 to explore new lands. However, the first permanent English settlement was attempted under the patronage of Sir Walter Raleigh on Roanoke Island in 1585, following the loss of Gilbert at sea. This venture, known famously as the "Lost Colony", ended in mystery as its residents disappeared, and the fate of the colonists remains one of history's enigmas to this day. The Roanoke colony's establishment marked England's initial foray into creating an empire to rival that of Spain and France, while promoting Protestantism and seeking new economic opportunities.
The Queen's motivations were both ideological, to spread Protestant Christianity, and economic, in the form of seeking new opportunities and countering Spanish and Portuguese territories. These first attempts sowed the seeds for future successful settlements, such as Jamestown in 1607, which became the first permanent English settlement in North America. England's colonization push contributed to its competition with other European powers over the exploitation and settlement of lands in the New World.