Which English explorer is credited for giving England its claim to North America?

The English explorer credited for giving England its claim to North America is John Cabot. In 1497, Cabot undertook a voyage under the commission of King Henry VII, which led him to the coast of what is now Newfoundland, Canada. His exploration is significant because it marked the first European expedition to North America since the Vikings, and he is often considered the first to land on the continent in modern times under the English flag.

Cabot's voyage is viewed as a catalyst for future English claims in North America, paving the way for subsequent explorations and settlements. His work established the foundation for England's later territorial claims, setting the stage for the Age of Exploration and colonization.

The other figures, while important in the history of exploration, did not play the same foundational role in establishing English claims in North America as Cabot did. Francis Drake is known for his circumnavigation of the globe and raids against Spanish settlements, while Henry Hudson explored parts of present-day Canada and New York but did so under the Dutch flag. James Cook is recognized for his explorations in the Pacific, which were important in their own right but occurred much later than Cabot’s explorations.