Colonial America Early English Settlements Chapter 3.1

England in America King Philip II of Spain wanted to bring a Catholic ruler to England. He did not believe that the Protestant Queen Elizabeth was the rightful ruler. Spain sent a huge armada (a fleet of war ships) to England, but they were defeated before they could land in England. The war between England and Spain came to an end in 1604. Effects: This brought about a shift in power in Europe. Spain no longer controlled the seas and was no longer the most powerful or wealthy nation. England became the supreme naval power, and was free to establish colonies in North America.

Roanoke: a historical mystery In 1584 Queen Elizabeth gave Sir Walter Raleigh the right to claim land in North America. An island off the coast of present day N. Carolina was selected. In 1585 Raleigh sent 100 men to settle in Roanoke Island, but they returned home. In 1587 91 men, 17 women and 9 children tried again to settle in Roanoke. The settlers were led by John White. White sailed back to England for supplies but when he returned all the settlers and trace of the settlement had disappeared. No one knows what happened to these settlers.

The lost colony of Roanoke

JAMESTOWN – Charters for settlement In 1606 English merchants asked for charters. Charters would give them the right to organize settlements in North America. Why? To make money Opportunity for younger sons who would not inherit from their family estate

JAMESTOWN – Charters for settlement Merchants formed the Virginia Company of London, and they received a charter from King James I. The Virginia Company was a joint stock company which meant that people could invest money in the company by purchasing stock. In turn they would receive a share of the profits made.

JAMESTOWN – Geography Jamestown was built on the banks of the James River. The settlement town was located on a peninsula. Why? Virginia had a warm and humid climate in the summer months, this would have been a big change for English setters. The land was swampy and this attracted mosquitos that carried diseases. The land was fertile, but was not suitable for the crops grown in England. There were abundant forests and fish.

Jamestown King James I of England gave merchants a charter to create a colony in Virginia. The settlers named the colony Jamestown after their King.

JAMESTOWN -Hardship and Disaster The settlers were rich men who had expected to find gold and make money quickly in the new colony. This did not happen. When they arrived they found a ‘wilderness’. They needed to build shelter, find ways of growing crops and to cooperate as a community.

JAMESTOWN -Hardship and Disaster By 1608 only 38 colonists survived. John Smith arrived and through his leadership and help from Native American Chief Powhatan the colonist managed to grow corn. When Smith left, fighting and famine broke out and this period was called the “starving time”.

JAMESTOWN -Farming the land John Rolfe learned how to grow tobacco in Virginia from seeds from the West Indies. This discovery saved Jamestown. Private land ownership was expanded. In 1619 the Virginia Company allowed the colonists to have some say in their government. Ten towns sent two representatives called burgesses to an assembly. John Rolfe married Chief Powhatan’s daughter Pocahontas.

Summary