First English Settlements Roanoke Jamestown Plymouth

Roanoke (The Lost Colony) 1585 and 1587 1587 – John White Left colonists to get more supplies from England 3 years before he returned due to war Settlers nowhere to be found Remains a mystery.

Jamestown – The Founding First permanent settlement – 1607 Virginia Company gained a charter. Settlers looking for gold, silver fur No gold was found, few people wanted to do work such as farm or hunt. The settlement was also built on swampy land, much disease such as malaria Barely survived the first year

John Smith Saves the Colony 1608 sent to lead the colony. “He who works not, eats not.” Colony began to thrive Smith raids Native American tribes. Powhatan does not like. Smith returns to England. Powhatan refuses to give settlers food. The Starving Time – 60 settlers survive.

Jamestown Prospers Dependable source of income found(tobacco) Success brought new colonists House of Burgesses (1st form of representative government) Africans come to Virginia Some were able to earn their freedom

The Plymouth Colony Separatists seeking religious freedom Known as pilgrims Mayflower Compact – set forth laws and rules for colony Second step towards self government Colonists claim right to govern themselves First Thanksgiving (Squanto)