Jamestown

Funded and maintained by joint-stock companies Virginia company offered 4/5 of all riches found in companies to it’s investors 3 ships : Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed (150 people) Settled in Virginia in Jamestown

“There was no talk, no hope, no work, but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, load gold.” John Smith Contaminated river water = disease Followed by hunger and lack of cooperation by the colonists Winter and only 38 people left “You must now obey this law,… he that will not work shall not eat.” Powhatan Indians helped provide food John Smith was badly burned and returned to England 600 people arrived in Jamestown Powhatan begin to destroy farms and kill livestock Famine struck = 60 colonists survived Disastrous Start

Colonists began to leave by sailing down James river Met a ship that convinced them to turn around Jamestown becomes stable, tobacco becomes important John Rolfe (creates high quality tobacco through cross breeding different kinds) 1.5 mil lbs. of “brown gold” exported Needed field labor = development of head rights How would this be good for wealthy people? Development of indentured servants Jamestown Flourishes

African Laborers First treated as indentured servants Slaves would cost more money Paid and currency in tobacco Limited indentured servants Began to import slaves in large numbers African Laborers

Clash With the Indians Desire for more land English had no desire to grant culture to Native Americans Jamestown demanded food, took hostages, burned villages, etc. Pocahontas was captured (Married John Rolfe) Half hearted peace Wanted more land for tobacco growing Powhatan Indians began to fight back Jamestown became a Royal Colony Clash With the Indians

Indentured servants had no land, little money, and no voting rights Became upset with Sir William Berkeley (governor) Levied high taxes – wasn’t used for public good Native Americans began to fight with western frontier settlers (became a blood bath) Berkeley refused to send military support to fight Economic Differences

Bacon’s Rebellion Nathaniel Bacon took this refusal to heart Raised army to fight Native Americans on western frontier Berkeley says army is illegal Bacon marches on inner Jamestown and rebels end up attacking Rebellion caused king to look at government Berkeley recalled to England to explain himself but died before he reached mainland Bacon’s Rebellion