Which religious movement in Europe led to an increased in interest in colonizing the Americas?

The religious movement in Europe that led to an increased interest in colonizing the Americas was the Protestant Reformation. Initiated in the early 16th century, this movement challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and emphasized personal faith and scripture. The ensuing religious competition, particularly between Catholic and Protestant nations, fueled a desire for expansion and the establishment of new territories where these different religious beliefs could thrive.

Protestant nations, especially England and the Netherlands, sought to establish colonies in the Americas both as a means of spreading their religious beliefs and as a way to compete economically and politically with Catholic powers such as Spain and Portugal. Additionally, the idea of the "New World" as a place of opportunity for religious and economic freedom further motivated these endeavors.