Bell Work  List some similarities and differences between indentured servants and slaves.  This Day in History: September 16, Gandhi begins fast over the caste system. September 16, The Mayflower departs England. September 16, Mexican War of Independence begins. September 16, The United States imposes the draft.

Early Virginia and Indentured Servants

Jamestown  On April 26, 1607, The London Company (a joint- stock company) landed in Virginia and founded Jamestown.  The colonists at Jamestown were unprepared so nearly 2/3 of the colonists died.  Under John Smith the colony thrived. He mad colonists work harder and they formed an alliance with the Powhatan Indian tribe.

Jamestown  The colony continued to suffer. By 1610 only 60 colonists were still alive.  John Rolfe saved the colony by introducing a new type of tobacco that made the colony money.  John Rolfe would marry Pocahontas which would bring peace with the Powhatans.

Powhatan War  In 1622, colonists killed a Powhatan leader which sparked fighting for the next 20 years.  The London Company could not protect its people so the English Crown cancelled the company’s charter in 1624 and Virginia became a royal colony that was lead by a governor chosen by the king.

Early Virginia  Large farms were established called plantations which were made possible by the headright system which gave settlers who paid their own way 50 acres of land and 50 more acres for every additional person they brought from England.  Indentured servants were brought over to work for 4-7 years before gaining their freedom.

Bacon’s Rebellion  By 1670 there were great numbers of former indentured servants out of work and disenfranchised.  The servants were mad about high taxes and policies toward Natives.  In 1676 a thousand Virginians led by Nathaniel Bacon lashed out at the Indians, chased Governor William Berkely from Jamestown, and burned the capitol.

Assignment  Compare indentured servants and slaves. MAKE A T CHART TO SHOW YOUR WORK.  APPARTS

Colonial Slavery  Tens of thousands of Africans came to America through the middle passage in the early 1700s.  People were captured by African coastal tribes and sold to Europeans and Americans.