The first English colonies Jamestown EQ: Why did the English establish colonies and what happened to the first attempts? What were conflicts that Jamestown faced and why were they successful at colonizing?

The English plan colonies England wants part of the Americas Colonies would provide: New Markets Raw Material Gold Opportunity to spread Protestant faith -After England’s defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) England begins to colonize the Americas -Spain had colonies already there and England did not want to be left out -Remember Columbus sailed for Spain / -Geographer Richard Hakluyt (Hak-Loot) encouraged colonization for those reasons FYI: Remember Mercantilism and the 3 G’s (God, Gold, and Glory)?

Why Move? Reasons for going to America New economic opportunities (New jobs) Stories of gold mines Religious freedom England’s economy changed to sheep and the selling of wool. Farmers who rented small lands areas from wealthy landowners were left to begging and stealing to survive. The land was now used for grazing (for the sheep). How many of you would move for new opportunities? How many of you are thinking about moving to college or know someone who moved?

Early Colonies fail 1585 – First English Colony on Roanoke Island (North Carolina) Financed by Sir Walter Raleigh Colony named Virginia Colony Failed 1587 – Second attempt to colonize Roanoke Island Failed 1607 Plymouth Company financed Sagadahoc Colony in Maine. Sir Walter Raleigh was a soldier, statesman (political leader), and adventurer He served under Queen Elizabeth I of England She allowed him to finance such venture -Named Virginia after Queen Elizabeth the “Virgin Queen” since she never married -Virginia colony failed because: colonists relied on Native Americans for food -Native Americans cut off food supply - they realized colonist were going to take their land. -Survivors returned to England in 1586 ________________________________________________________ 1587 attempt failed (about 100 settlers) – no really knows what happened -colonists killed or blended with Native Americans -Were never found (Story of John White, traveled with 1st attempt – left his daughter with baby girl and returned in 1590 and never found them). -This Roanoke colony is also known as the “Lost Colony” 1607 Colony was made up of many convicts - a colonist wrote that the governor (George Popham) had brought colonist from all the jails of England. Failure due to: arguments among colonist, harsh winter, food shortages, and Native Americans.

Why did early colonies fail? Colonies Failed due to: Food Shortages Harsh Winters Conflict with Native Americans Due to these failures Joint-stock companies emerged such as the Virginia Company of London and the Virginia Company of Plymouth -these were a group of people who finaced a colony in hopes of making profit $$$

Jamestown founded 1607 – Virginia Company of London financed expedition to Chesapeake Bay Settlement Called Jamestown in honor of King James. Had Over 100 Settlers 1st Successful Colony Colonist endured hardships Malaria – colonist sick with fever Ill from drinking river water No shelter or food Colonist busy looking for gold Harsh Climate King James Expedition sailed up James River -Settlement was named in honor of King James (new king of England after Elizabeth died) -James was from Scotland, but was part of the lineage of King Henry the VIII. The Virginia Company had told settlers that colony was rich with gold Summers were hot and humid Winter were very cold

John Smith 1608 – John Smith takes control of Jamestown Had everyone working in the colony Persuaded Powhatan tribe to trade corn 1609 – Smith leaves for England and 800 new settlers arrive to Jamestown Tension arises with Native Americans “Starving Period Begins” Colonist ate rats, mice, ad snakes John Smith -1608 only about 38 colonist remained -John Smith (soldier and adventurer) announced “He that will not work shall not eat” -a wall was created around the settlement for protection -1609 Smith was injured and returned to England -”Starving period” happened because Native Americans would not trade with colonists due to conflict -1610 only 60 colonist survived

Jamestown grows 1612 Colonists began to grow tobacco Became popular in England Virginia Company wanted more laborers Offered land grants 1619 – First Africans arrive Offered passages for Indentured Servants (Men or women who would work until they paid off their passage). Population grew from 600 in 1619 to 2000 in 1621 1619 House of Burgesses was created Tobacco Plantation The Virginia Company saw colonist as their employees (remember that the company had invested their money to finance their voyage) -Colonist also wanted a profit Company advertise to more settlers / wanted more laborers Land grants given to those that could pay their passage -The House of Burgesses was formed (work of elected representatives of the colonist) to protect colonist interests Became 1st representative assembly

Conflicts with powhatan 1614 John Rolfe (English man) married Pocahontas (daughter of Powhatan Chief) Improved relations between colonist and Powhatans However, expanding tobacco plantations took more of Powhatan land 1622 Powhatan reacted by killing hundreds of Jamestown colonists John Rolfe and Pocahontas -After marriage there was an uneasy peace - Colonist learned to plant corn, fish, and capture wild fowl from Powhatan.

Bacon’s Rebellion Colonist who did not own land resented wealthy landowners Nathaniel Bacon demanded war with Native Americans Wanted land for tobacco plantations Governor Berkeley’s refusal sparked Bacon’s Rebellion of 1676 Bacon burned Jamestown to the ground His sudden death ended the rebellion Bacon’s followers were hanged Colonist not only fought Native Americans but also each other -By 1670 one fourth of free white men had been indentured servants Poor settlers lived in the western frontier where they would have to battle Native Americans -Nathaniel Bacon and group of landless settlers asked governor William Berkeley to go to war with Native Americans Bacon died of Dysentry (Infection of the intestines resulting in diarrhea with blod and mucus Nathaniel Bacon

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