The Colonies JAMESTOWN/VIRGINIA

Four Colonial Subcultures The Chesapeake New England Middle Colonies The Carolinas English colonization did not spring from a desire to build a centralized Empire (The Crown issued charters to a wide variety of people)

Entrepreneurs in Virginia Joint-stock companies provided financing English stockholders in Virginia Company expected instant profits Jamestown settled in 1607 Mostly men Searched for instant wealth, gold Colony’s location in a swampy, unhealthy Unsuitable for typical European crops Colonists did not work for common good

Chesapeake Colonies, 1640

Spinning Out of Control —John Smith imposed order If you want to eat, you must work 1609—London Company re-organized colonial government (all political and economic decisions rested with the company) “Starving Time” It ended by arrival of Lord De La Warr, fresh settlers, and martial law

Conflicts with Natives Conflict with Powhattan tribe Contributed to “starving time” 1622—natives attempted to drive out English (killed 347 settlers) 1644—second attempt to drive out English less productive; Powhattan empire destroyed

“Stinking Weed” 1610—John Rolfe introduced tobacco 1618—Reforms of Edwin Sandys (large stockholder) House of Burgesses instituted for Virginia self- government (attract investors to colony) Headright: 50-acre lot granted to each colonist who paid his own transportation, or for each servant brought into the colony Allowed development of huge estates Brought indentured servants

Time of Reckoning Population increase prevented by imbalanced sex ratio 3570 colonists to Virginia, Men outnumbered women 6:1 after 1619 Contagious disease killed settlers 1618: Virginia population numbered : 3000 immigrated 1622: Virginia population numbered 1240

Legacy of Virginian Company Problems of colony blamed on greed and mismanagement of London Company 1624—King James I dissolved London Company Virginia became a royal colony House of Burgesses continued to meet Indentured servants denied promised land