Question

why did the earliest attempts of the English to colonize america fail

Answer 1

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761591228/Roanoke_Colony.html

http://www.essortment.com/all/lostcolonyofr_rmhw.htm

Answer 2

I didn't look at those references, but as I recall, disease played an important part. You may want to explore that