Pronoy's Jamestown and Harsdships in Virginia Study Guide

JAMESTOWN STUDY GUIDE - Pronoy

Reasons for colonization

• gold and silver
• water passage to Asia (Northwest Passage)
• challenge Spain and France (Sun King)
• resources and raw materials (ex timber) – don’t have to trade with other countries (MERCANTILISM exports > imports)
• Overpopulation – reaction to “city life” (IR was just starting)
• Create global economy
• Spread Christianity

English attitude towards colonization

Inflated conditions in the new world: made them seem too good to be true. They were naïve and optimistic. However, there were rumors about the harsh conditions and attacks by the natives. Most people didn’t want to leave. Those who did wanted a “New London” in the Americas.

Joint Stock – people buy shares of stock è profits and loss are divided amongst those who bought more

Pros	Cons
Allowed Raleigh (and others) to collect funds when they were lacking People without much money could have a share of profit	Losses will be reflected on value of stock as well Possibly lose control of the company if you are CEO Buyers don’t control stock

Jamestown’s Birth-date: May 14, 1607

(First successful permanent English colony in America)

Charter – document with king’s permission

King James I says that the London Company (south with Virginia) and Plymouth company (north with Massachusetts) cannot mix è more competition

…this allows the Dutch to creep in and found New Amsterdam

Settlers’ problems

• site was low and swampy (led to the next two)
• mosquitoes and malaria
• well water = dysentery
• council argued
• Indian raids
• False, lofty expectations

John Smith’s golden rule

If you don’t work, you don’t eat

Also, he names “New England”.

Smith’s Rules

1. No trade with the Natives without permission from the council
2. No laziness
3. No stealing
4. No personal profit (profit goes to company)

Smith’s Importance

He prevented the settlers’ quarreling. He worked to keep peace with natives. He negotiated the nourishment for colonists from the natives. He basically taught the colonists the means for survival.

Chronology of New Amsterdam (I don’t think this will be on the quiz)

1. Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River è New Amsterdam (New York)
2. Dutch buy Manhattan from natives
3. Dutch accept everyone in their city as means of profit
4. English want New Amsterdam
5. Dutch governor initially refuses to give NYC but citizens persuade him to
6. New Amsterdam becomes New York

Starving Time – Bitter winter of 1609 where colonists couldn’t make enough food for themselves. Out of the original 500 settlers, 60 remained afterwards. Led to the question “Could they survive?” They were missing their cash crop as well.

Importance of John Rolfe – he discovers a form of tobacco the English like and therefore makes Jamestown become financially self supporting and acquiring profit. It was easy to refine and became the cash crop.

1603 – James I (Scottish) ascends to throne è Scotland + England = Great Britain

1614 – To establish peace with Jamestown and Powhatans, John Rolfe marries Pocahantas

1619 – Jamestown became self supporting. The first elected legislative assembly in North America: The House of Burgesses (means free man from city in Latin). This serves as a keystone in the American government. Also, Black slaves and women were brought to the settlement.

1622 – Powhatan uprising – attack on Jamestown by the Powhatan tribe. 347 colonists were killed and 20 women were captured from Martin’s 100 plantation. Later, the 20 women were bartered for a few pounds of beads.

1624 – Population of Jamestown increases by 200 yet 5000 settlers came in the previous five years. This is because of sickness, starvation, and Indian raids. Population remained stagnant. James I makes Virginia a royal colony by revoking the London Company’s charter. Allows representative government to exist.