VS 3 Jamestown
Many European countries were in competition for wealth and power. They hoped to increase their wealth and power by gaining colonies in North America.
England wanted to establish an American colony to increase her wealth and power. England hoped to find silver and gold in America. An American settlement would furnish raw materials that could not be grown or obtained in England. And open new markets for trade.
Jamestown was primarily an economic venture.
People in England who bought stock (stockholders) in the Virginia Company of London, financed the settlement of Jamestown. Jamestown became the first permanent settlement in North America.
The King of England granted charters to the Virginia Company of London. The charters gave the Virginia Company the right to establish a settlement in North America. The charters extended English rights to colonists. The charters established companies like the Virginia Company of London to establish colonies in the New World.
When the settlers arrived in 1607, Jamestown was located on a narrow peninsula bordered on three sides by the James River. The settlers chose this location for three main reasons:
1. The location could be easily defended from sea (Spanish).
2. The water along the shore was deep enough for the ships to dock.
3. They believed they had a fresh supply of water.
The settlers faced many hardships that made surviving in Jamestown difficult.
1. The site was marshy and lacked safe drinking water.
2. The settlers lacked survival skills needed to grow crops, and get food.
3. Many settlers died of starvation and disease.
Two supply ships arrived to save the Jamestown settlers. Leader John Smith created harsh rules that forced all people to work. “If you don’t work, you don’t eat!” John Smith also initiated trading with the Powhatan Indians.
The Powhatans traded food, furs and leather with the English settlers in exchange for tools, pots and guns.
The Powhatan helped the settlers survive:
1. Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, believed the American Indians and English settlers could live in harmony.
2. Pocahontas began a friendship with the settlers.
3. The Powhatans introduced new crops to the English, such as corn and tobacco.
Over time, the Powhatan Indians realized that the settlement would continue to grow, and began to view the settlers as invaders who would take over their land.
In 1619, the governor of Virginia called a meeting of the Virginia Assembly. The Assembly included two citizen representatives (called burgesses), from each of the divisions of Virginia, the governor’s council, and the governor. Only adult men in the colony were considered citizens.
In 1620, women were brought over the Jamestown on the bride’s ship. The arrival of women allowed the colony to become more permanent as the settlers could now have families.
By 1620, Africans were being brought to Jamestown against their will. It is believed that the Africans arrived as baptized Christians, and were labeled indentured servants for a period of 5-7 years to pay for their trip. The arrival of Africans allowed the expansion of the tobacco economy.
By 1640’s, the burgesses had become a separate legislative body, called the Virginia House of Burgesses. The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected legislative body in America, giving settlers the opportunity to control their own government. The Virginia House of Burgesses became the General Assembly of Virginia, which continues to this day.