Impact and Change New Innovations in Virginia

By: Victoria Wan and Gabby Weiss

December 20th, 1606 three ships departed from Brunswick Wharf, London.

They started down from the Thames River in London to southern Virginia

The three sailing ships, full of men on the way to Virginia were the subjects of King James I.◦ Susan Constant◦ God Speed◦ Discovery

Journey to Virginia

There were very rough winds on their way to Virginia.

They were forced to drop the anchor for six weeks in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

Many people got sea sick and were anxious for more supplies.

In April 10th 1607 they departed into the Gulf Stream towards America, a harsh storm almost made them turn back to the Canary Islands, but forced them to go on to Virginia.

Dangers of Journey

Virginia Company The Virginia Company was formed with a

charter from King James I in 1606 The Company was a joint stock corporation

charged with the settlement of Virginia When the company’s profited started to be

weak. The leadership resorted to:◦ Lotteries◦ Search for gold◦ Silkworm production◦ Increase in Profit

The Virginia Company was finally revoked in 1624

Virginia became a crown colonyThe seal of the Virginia Company

Virginia Company

Jamestown was the first successful colony Established in 1607 Jamestown was named after King James I Jamestown was settled on the hunting grounds of

the Paspahegh Indians Jamestown may be known as James Fort since it

was a fort to protect from the Paspahegh Indians

Jamestown

Elected President in September 10th of 1608 John Smith brought order into Jamestown He nearly saved the whole town from

hunger He made people plant crops because many

starved Jamestown was more

successful after he waselected

Captain John Smith

John Smith visited many Indian villages and paraded with them

When he came across the village of the Great Powhatan he was interrogated

Captain was suppose to be clubbed to death by the Great Powhatan

John Smith and Pocahontas

Although Pocahontas; the Powhatan’s daughter saved Captain Smith’s life

Her friendship with Captain John Smith made peace for a while between Jamestown and the Great Powhatan

Friendship and Peace

Tobacco was known as brown gold Jamestown depended on supplies and funds

from England because the colonists made several attempts to establish industries.

Tobacco was a popular past time in Europe but the native tobacco that grew in Virginia was too harsh and bitter for English tastes.

In 1612, Jamestown settler John Rolfe obtained some tobacco seeds from the Caribbean Islands and by experimenting, he created a more mild tobacco.

Tobacco

Tobacco has dominated agriculture for nearly 3 centuries

Many colonist believed that tobacco cured illnesses

John Smith proved that tobacco was bad for the body in Virginia

Tobacco

In 1613, Jamestown sent their first shipment of the new tobacco to England.

Two years later, the Jamestown colony exported 2,300 pound of the tobacco.

In 1617 the colony exported 20,000 pounds of tobacco and two years after that, the export jumped to 45,000 pounds.

The tobacco plant finally made the colony self-supporting.

Tobacco Sold to England

Tobacco and Slavery Slaves planted and harvested the tobacco

crop, but tobacco shipping barrels; known as hogshead, delivered the tobacco crop to the inspections war.

Slaves would work out on the tobacco plantation for a long amount of time.

Many of the slaves worked on tobacco plantations

In 1618, the Headright system was introduced as a means to solve the labor shortage.

Colonists were granted two Headrights, meaning two tracts of fifty acres each, or a total of 100 acres of land.

New settlers who paid their own passage to Jamestown were granted one Headright.

Families were encouraged to migrate together because every person who entered the colony received a Headright.

Headright System

Development of the Headright System Virginia had trouble with labor shortage and

needed to resolve it During this time England had a wipeout of

unemployment

Development of a New Innovation

A Headright is a grant of land, usually fifty to one-hundred acres to a settler, given by certain colonies and companies in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Headright

Rich that paid to settle in America, they received land as their reward

The rich were favored in this situation because there were so many indentured servants that had to serve to pay off the government for their way to get to Jamestown.

The rich got a bigger proportion of the land compared to the indentured servants they had nothing.

Land Given to the Rich

Rich were called the gentry meaning they were the top of society.

The gentry included wealthy planters, merchants, and ministers, and the latest fashion of London.

The poor were called indentured servants and did work like hired farmhands and slaves.

There was not many of the higher class but there was thousands of men, woman, and children that came to North America as indentured servants

Rich vs. Poor

People that could not pay for their passage to Virginia agreed to repay by working as a servant in Virginia.

A worker looking for a new job in American were often indentured servants since, they couldn’t afford the passage to America

Africans were also sold as indentured servants during the slave trade on their journey to Virginia.

Indentured Servants

Indentured servants got:◦ A passage to America◦ New Job◦ Provided food and shelter◦ Better respect than slaves

They usually worked until they paid off their debts or until the end of their service

If the servant treats their master with respect they may go to court and were entitled their own land

Indentured Servents

The Headright system was a success to Virginia because it gave people ambition to work hard for land ownership. ◦ Like today, school tries to ambition people in

school to work hard for a successful future. Many successful servants later became

well-known citizens ◦ Like Oprah Winfrey she was living in proverty but,

now she is a well-known person.

Historical Significance

The settlers captured the naturals; which is know as the natives, and used them as slaves

Many of Some of the slaves became skilled labors

such as:◦ Blacksmiths◦ Shoemakers◦ Unloading and loading the ships◦ Making houses

Native American Slaves