Final answer:
The best method to populate the New World involved enticing potential colonists with the promise of economic opportunities, land ownership, religious freedom, and social advancement. The prospect of establishing communities based on shared principles, and the ability to socially elevate oneself, like in Virginia, would also play key roles in recruitment. The colonization's portrayal as a superior alternative to Spanish practices and opportunities offered by the mercantilist system could appeal to a wide range of settlers.
Step-by-step explanation:
If I were in charge of recruiting colonists for a new colony in the New World, I would emphasize various compelling factors that align with the English economic, religious, and social aspirations of the seventeenth century. Considering the context of the time, the best method to populate the New World would involve the promise of land and economic opportunities, religious freedom, and the prospect of social advancement, particularly to those facing overcrowding and poverty in England.
To convince people to leave their homeland for a new, potentially dangerous land, I would highlight the success of tobacco farming in colonies like Virginia and Maryland. Additionally, I would promote the idea of religious sanctuary and the chance to establish communities based on shared beliefs, as the Puritans did in New England. Moreover, I might use the writings of promoters like Richard Hakluyt, who argued that colonization could strike a blow against Spain, bring Protestantism to new areas, offer economic relief, and serve as a social safety valve. The concept that colonists could rise in the social ranks, as seen in the early years of Virginia, and the opportunity for a fresh start in a new land would also be pivotal points in the recruitment efforts.
While there were also darker aspects of the colonization process, including the exploitation and displacement of Native Americans, at the time, English colonization was often framed as a superior and more humane alternative to Spanish colonial practices, which could be used as a recruitment tool. The mercantilist system's demand for raw materials and the economic boon that colonies could provide to the mother country were also strong selling points. I would create a recruitment message that balanced idealism with practical benefits, aiming to attract a diverse group of settlers with various motivations.