1. Interactive Notes Jamestown Settlement
VS. 3a, 3b, 3c

2. In 1606, England, like many other European countries, was searching for more wealth and power.

5. One way to accomplish this goal was to start a new colony in America.

7. The Virginia Company of London wanted to finance a settlement in America for England (they wanted to help pay for it!). This was primarily an economic venture because the Virginia Company and King James I hoped to find silver and gold in the new lands.

9. They were also looking for materials that could not be grown or acquired in England, such as wood, furs, and new foods. In addition, they hoped that they would be able to increase their trade with other countries and peoples.

10. The King of England had the power to allow settlement in North America
The King of England had the power to allow settlement in North America. In 1606, King James I granted a charter to the Virginia Company of London.

11. The first charter gave the Virginia Company the right to establish settlement in North America.

12. The first charter also ensured, or guaranteed, that the settlers would have all the rights and privileges of the free Englishmen back home.

14. Charter- a written grant by a country's legislative or sovereign power, by which an institution such as a company, college, or city is created and its rights and privileges defined.

15. BASICALLY, a charter is a legal piece of paper (document) written by a country’s government that gives permission for a city to be created and the rights of that city to be written out.

16. It was under this first charter in 1606 that the London Company sent out its first settlers to Virginia. In 1607, three ships arrived from England with 104 men and boys. The ships were named the Godspeed, the Discovery, and the Susan Constant. Captain Christopher Newport was in charge.

21. The settlers were told to find a suitable place for their colony
The settlers were told to find a suitable place for their colony. One of the first things they did was name the nearby river James after their King.

24. They chose this spot for 3 reasons:
Then they chose a narrow peninsula on the James River for their new home.
They chose this spot for 3 reasons:

25. It could easily be defended from Spanish attack by sea1.
It could easily be defended from Spanish attack by sea

26. The water close to shore was deep enough for ships to dock2.
The water close to shore was deep enough for ships to dock

27. The settlers thought that it had a good supply of fresh water3.
The settlers thought that it had a good supply of fresh water

28. Jamestown became the 1st permanent English settlement in North America in 1607 due to its location and physical characteristics.

29. Today, Jamestown is located on an island in the James River, even though it was originally on a peninsula.