First English Settlement; Jamestown is Formed
Jamestown, the first permanent English colony was formed in Virginia in 1607 - 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in Massachusetts. It sparked a series of cultural encounters that helped shape the nation and the world. The government, language, customs, beliefs, and aspirations of these early Virginians are all still apart of the United States today. The colony was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors who hoped to profit from the venture. Established in 1606 by King James I, the company also supported English national goals of counterbalancing the expansion of other European nations abroad.
The first two English women arrived at Jamestown in 1608, and more came in subsequent years. Men outnumbered women, however, for most of the 17th century. Captain John Smith became the colony's leader in September 1608. He was the fourth in a succession of council presidents - and established a "no work, no food" policy. He traded with the Indians for food. However, in the fall of 1609, he was injured by burning gunpowder and left for England and never returned. When he left, the "starving time" period followed. The period of warfare between the colonists and Indians and the deaths of many English men and women from starvation and diseases. Settlers with supplies arrived from England just when the colonists decided to abandon Jamestown in the Spring of 1610. This group of settlers came with eager to find wealth in Virginia, arrived under the command of King James I. The charter provided for stronger leadership under a governor who served with a group of advisors, and the introduction of a period of military law and carried harsh punishments for those who disobeyed.
In order to make profit for the Virginia Company, settlers tried a number of small industries, including glassmaking, wood production, and pitch and tar and potash manufacturer. It wasn't until the introduction of tobacco as a cash crop did the colonists efforts to establish profitable enterprises were successful. Tobacco cultivation required large amounts of land and labor and stimulated the rapid growth of the Virginia colony. Settlers moved onto the lands occupied by the Powhatan Indians, and increased the number of servants that came to Virginia.
The first recored African American to arrive to Virginia was in 1619. They were from the kingdom of Ndongo in Angola, West Central Africa. They were captured during war with the Portuguese. Although the first Africans were mistreated, the customary practice of owning African as slaves for life appeared by mid-centurey. The number of African slaves increased significantly in the second half of the 17th century.
The first two English women arrived at Jamestown in 1608, and more came in subsequent years. Men outnumbered women, however, for most of the 17th century. Captain John Smith became the colony's leader in September 1608. He was the fourth in a succession of council presidents - and established a "no work, no food" policy. He traded with the Indians for food. However, in the fall of 1609, he was injured by burning gunpowder and left for England and never returned. When he left, the "starving time" period followed. The period of warfare between the colonists and Indians and the deaths of many English men and women from starvation and diseases. Settlers with supplies arrived from England just when the colonists decided to abandon Jamestown in the Spring of 1610. This group of settlers came with eager to find wealth in Virginia, arrived under the command of King James I. The charter provided for stronger leadership under a governor who served with a group of advisors, and the introduction of a period of military law and carried harsh punishments for those who disobeyed.
In order to make profit for the Virginia Company, settlers tried a number of small industries, including glassmaking, wood production, and pitch and tar and potash manufacturer. It wasn't until the introduction of tobacco as a cash crop did the colonists efforts to establish profitable enterprises were successful. Tobacco cultivation required large amounts of land and labor and stimulated the rapid growth of the Virginia colony. Settlers moved onto the lands occupied by the Powhatan Indians, and increased the number of servants that came to Virginia.
The first recored African American to arrive to Virginia was in 1619. They were from the kingdom of Ndongo in Angola, West Central Africa. They were captured during war with the Portuguese. Although the first Africans were mistreated, the customary practice of owning African as slaves for life appeared by mid-centurey. The number of African slaves increased significantly in the second half of the 17th century.
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The English selected a settlement far inland so they can easily explore land that they called Virginia. They found the Northwest Passage to India and China in addition to searching for gold.
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The water was deep where the fort was built. a settler reported that ships were tied to trees by the shore. The English could easily defend themselves against overland invasions.
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By settling in an unoccupied area, the English did not provoke the native peoples. There is evidence that Chief Powhatan used the Jamestown area as a hunting ground but had no village in what the settlers soon discovered was an extremely unhealthy locale.
The first English settlement changed America because it showed the up and coming conflicts that were beginning to emerge. It was the first step towards the creation of America. It led to other significant developments such as the arrival of black workers on boats to America. It was one of the first official settlements which led to other settlements.