Before England could settle the New World, it needed a Middle Class to fund private settlements and a millitary to protect those investments. Although the Spanish had a hundred year head start the English would in turn dominate the New World. This was all set in motion by King Henry VIII's Act of Supremacy. King Henry VIII broke from the Cathloc Church because he wanted a divorce. While leaving he seized wealth by taking 1/4 of the land. He gave the land to his supporters who became the middle class. The nobles opposed the siezing of land but did nothin gright away. Therefore the Act of Supremacy created the middle class.