Entry Read pages about The Lost Colony of Roanoke. What do you think happened to these settlers? Explain

Entry What do you think would be the toughest challenge for Colonists once they’ve arrived in the New World? Explain

Jamestown Social Studies

Jamestown (Founded in 1607) 1 st Permanent English settlement. Setting was chosen because they thought it would protect against attacks from seas. Disaster, because area was swampy, had thick woods, and bordered powerful Indian tribes. Image: Jamestown Today

Early Problems No prior exposure to infections and were highly vulnerable to diseases (Malaria). Most settlers were searching for gold instead of growing food. 8,000 of the first 10,000 settlers died during the first few years. Only 38 of the initial 104 survived the first wave.

Captain John Smith Known for saving the settlement of Jamestown “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” Maintained an uneasy peace with Algonquin Indians. Twice saved by Pocahontas who was fascinated by him.

Starving Time Winter of Local Indians killed off livestock and kept colonists barricaded within their fences. Relations dwindled after Smith went back to London. 80% died

Crop that saved Jamestown John Rolfe learned to grow tobacco from seeds from the West Indies. (1612) Demand high in England and finally Virginia could prosper.

“Headright System” Made to entice people to the colony. 50 acres of land for each family member if you paid your own way. Encouraged families to come together.

1 st in America First Representative Government (House of Burgesses) 1 st African American (William Tucker)

Replica Susan Constant

Jamestown Ruins

Powhatan Village

Tag Stamp Jamestown dug up in 1994.

Jamestown Questions 1.What were two problems that Jamestown faced early? 2.How did John Smith help save Jamestown? 3.What crop helped Jamestown prosper? 4.What caused the starving time?