Jamestown+and+Virginia+Colonies


 * Video:** [|Jamestown and Virginia Colonies]

Virginia and Jamestown

Founded in 1607 with a charter from the [|Virginia Company of London], Jamestown was the first permanent English colony in the Americas. However, the swampy terrain was a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carried a variety of diseases - dysentery, [|malaria], [|smallpox] - that the English were unaccustomed to. Many of the settlers fell prey to these infections and died shortly after. In addition, Virginia's initial government had no backbone, and its individual members frequently quarreled over policies. The colonists themselves frantically searched for any precious metals (i.e. gold) they could find, ignoring their deteriorating health in the process. Furthermore, "Indian raids" also weakened any hopes of defense and unification, and gradually the population of the colony declined. By the winter of 1609-1610, also known as the [|Starving Time], only 60 settlers remained from the original 500 passengers. Despite these shortcomings, it was the work of two men that helped the colony to survive: [|John Smith]and John Rolfe. John Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1608, introduced an ultimatum - those who did not work would not receive food or pay. His struggle to improve the colony's conditions succeeded - the colonists learned how to raise crops and trade with the nearby Indians, with whom Smith had made peace. In 1612, [|John Rolfe], an English businessman, discovered that Virginia had ideal conditions for growing tobacco. This singular discovery led to an explosion of success as the plant became the colony's major cash crop. With English demand for tobacco rising, Virginia had now found a way to economically support itself. In 1619, Virginia set up the [|House of Burgesses], the first elected legislative assembly in America. It marked the beginnings of self-government, as opposed to the martial law that was previously imposed on the colonists. Simultaneously, however, the king declared Virginia a royal colony, or a colony run by the English monarchy. While the House of Burgesses was still allowed to run the government, the king nevertheless appointed a royal governor to settle disputes and enforce certain British policies.


 * First Attempts at Settlement**

It should be noted that although Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement there were previous attempts to colonize America. In the year 1587 [|Sir Walter Raleigh] accompanied approximately 91 men, 17 women, and three children to America. These first time English adventurers landed at [|Roanoke Island]in North Carolina. Raleigh stayed with his countrymen for a short while and decided to return to England to gather supplies and resources. He promised to return as swiftly as he was able. Unfortunately, when Raleigh returned to England he found his country at war with Spain. All of England's ships were utilized for various naval battles that were erupting along European shores. Raleigh was not able to return to his countrymen in America until three years later. When he arrived at Roanoke he did any of the men, women or children. Remarkably, there was not one single trace of their existence. Only one clue was left for Raleigh to ponder. Three letters were carved into a piece of wood. The letters were C-R-O. Some historians have claimed that this might be Croatain Island further south or Roanoke Island. Some historians have speculated that these English settlers needed to move their camp and decided to head further south. Some have speculated that they were viciously slaughtered by local natives. The mystery still remains today.