4.14.1

The Virginia ColonyThe Virginia Colony

The English ColoniesThe English ColoniesThe Drive to ColonizeThe Drive to Colonize

The desire to colonize led to the development of The desire to colonize led to the development of joint-stock companiesjoint-stock companies

o Desirable to people due to the Desirable to people due to the enclosure movementenclosure movement in in England and desire to make money - England and desire to make money - VideoVideo

Settlement in Jamestown Settlement in Jamestown (sent by London Company to make $$$ (sent by London Company to make $$$ not to colonize)not to colonize)

April 1607 (3 ships and 105 men – April 1607 (3 ships and 105 men – NO WOMENNO WOMEN))o Founded Jamestown (after James I of England)Founded Jamestown (after James I of England)

Poor location (swamps, salty water, etc)Poor location (swamps, salty water, etc) Men more interested in gold than work (no survival Men more interested in gold than work (no survival

skills)skills) 2/3 of men dead by winter2/3 of men dead by winter John Smith took control and improved conditions John Smith took control and improved conditions

(planting crops and better buildings)(planting crops and better buildings) Video Video JamestownJamestown and John Smith and John Smith

Jamestown and John SmithJamestown and John Smith

Powhatan ConfederacyPowhatan Confederacy Alliance of Algonquin Indians under the leadership Alliance of Algonquin Indians under the leadership

of Wahunsonacockof Wahunsonacocko Sometimes provided food for colonistsSometimes provided food for colonistso Colonists stole food at times Colonists stole food at times (this is the start of a pattern (this is the start of a pattern

of abuse by white men towards the Indians) - of abuse by white men towards the Indians) - videovideo

The Starving TimeThe Starving Time By 1609 400 settlers arrived in JamestownBy 1609 400 settlers arrived in Jamestown

o (John Smith returned to England due to injury)(John Smith returned to England due to injury) With no leader, only 60 people still alive by With no leader, only 60 people still alive by

summer 1610 - videosummer 1610 - videoTobacco saves the colonyTobacco saves the colony

John Rolfe introduced a sweeter variety of tobacco John Rolfe introduced a sweeter variety of tobacco to the colony and it is sold back in Englandto the colony and it is sold back in England

King James I thought smoking was disgustingKing James I thought smoking was disgusting It produces a large profitIt produces a large profit

War in VirginiaWar in Virginia *Peace between Indians and colonists is *Peace between Indians and colonists is

achieved when John Rolfe marries Pocahontas*achieved when John Rolfe marries Pocahontas* *After her death in England (1617) and *After her death in England (1617) and

Wahunsonacock(1618) things fell apart*Wahunsonacock(1618) things fell apart*o Colonists are not dependant on Powhatan for foodColonists are not dependant on Powhatan for foodo Colonists want to use Indian land for tobaccoColonists want to use Indian land for tobacco

This leads to a 20 year war between Colonists This leads to a 20 year war between Colonists and Indians (killing 350 – including John Rolfe)and Indians (killing 350 – including John Rolfe)

Opechancanough (Wahunsonacock’s brother) Opechancanough (Wahunsonacock’s brother) led two big attacks on the colonists- he was led two big attacks on the colonists- he was killed in the last attack and by 1646, the war killed in the last attack and by 1646, the war was over.was over.

*In the end, the London Company can’t support *In the end, the London Company can’t support or protect the settlers. The Charter is or protect the settlers. The Charter is cancelled and it becomes a cancelled and it becomes a royal colonyroyal colony under a governor appointed by the king*under a governor appointed by the king*

John Rolf and TobaccoJohn Rolf and Tobacco

Daily Life in Virginia Daily Life in Virginia (scattered farms, not towns)(scattered farms, not towns)

A tobacco culture founded on plantationsA tobacco culture founded on plantationso Headright systemHeadright system (allows plantations to form)(allows plantations to form)

o Each person who paid their own way to Virginia Each person who paid their own way to Virginia received 50 acres of land plus 50 additional acres for received 50 acres of land plus 50 additional acres for each person brought over (favored the wealthy)each person brought over (favored the wealthy)

o Women didn’t arrive in Jamestown until 1619 and were Women didn’t arrive in Jamestown until 1619 and were outnumbered by men 7 to 1outnumbered by men 7 to 1

o The London Company tries to recruit women, but The London Company tries to recruit women, but diseases usually destroyed the familiesdiseases usually destroyed the families

o Families provided for themselves (food, shelter, Families provided for themselves (food, shelter, clothing) and made everything by handclothing) and made everything by hand

o Parents taught reading and religionParents taught reading and religiono High death rate - videoHigh death rate - video

Labor ProblemsLabor ProblemsHigh death rates led to labor shortage High death rates led to labor shortage

and only wealthy could afford to come and only wealthy could afford to come to Americato America

o Indentured ServantsIndentured ServantsSigned a contract to work for a period of time (4-7 Signed a contract to work for a period of time (4-7

years) in exchange to a trip to Virginia (75% of years) in exchange to a trip to Virginia (75% of population was indentured servants)population was indentured servants)

• Many died due to the harsh conditionsMany died due to the harsh conditionsAfricans in VirginiaAfricans in Virginia

Many were indentured servants at first Many were indentured servants at first (cheaper than buying slaves)(cheaper than buying slaves)

Eventually most Africans were enslaved due Eventually most Africans were enslaved due the wealth created on plantations (tobacco)the wealth created on plantations (tobacco)

Bacon’s Rebellion (late 1600’s)Bacon’s Rebellion (late 1600’s)People complaining that the House of People complaining that the House of

Burgess (elected assembly) only raised Burgess (elected assembly) only raised taxes for themselves – salaries (also taxes for themselves – salaries (also complained about the lack of farmland)complained about the lack of farmland)

Nathaniel Bacon Nathaniel Bacon (wealthy and relative of governor)(wealthy and relative of governor)

o Led slaves, freed slaves, and former Led slaves, freed slaves, and former servants in an attack against friendly servants in an attack against friendly Indians (also attacked and burned Indians (also attacked and burned Jamestown)Jamestown)

Bacon controlled colony for almost a yearBacon controlled colony for almost a yearBacon dies and 23 rebels hangedBacon dies and 23 rebels hangedSlavery increases as farmers fear another Slavery increases as farmers fear another

rebellion by freed servantsrebellion by freed servants