Jamestown

The Virginia Company, a joint-stock company, was granted a charter by King James I to found a colony on the eastern shores of North America. Joint Stock Company = Modern Public Corporation Investors pool money to serve as capital for company with possibility of profits for each John Smith Leads first settlement group Founding of Jamestown

Early Problems and Solutions Colonists suffered from disease and lack of food because they only wanted to search for gold rather than plant crops or gather food. Relationship with local Powhatan tribe not an easy one. Pocahontas Starving Time Early Problems and Solutions

Solutions for Jamestown John Smith persuaded the Powhatan people to provide food The colonists slowly begin to work, and grow own food John Smith had to return to England due to injury. Solutions for Jamestown

New Leadership and Success Jamestown began to flourish with new leaders who imposed strict discipline John Rolfe The development of the highly profitable tobacco crop saves the colony. Headright system Indentured servants New Leadership and Success

Colonial Self Government The New Leadership allows for the development of the House of Burgesses. Representative assembly Elected by landowners Colonists govern themselves Colonial Self Government

Labor Issues Former indentured servants… No $ to buy land, can’t vote, NO rights Have to move to frontier Constantly battling Natives Oppressed- high taxes, no protection from Native Americans Sir William Berkely abused power & ignored needs of settlers Labor Issues

Nathaniel Bacon (hates Natives) raises an army 1676 because House of Burgesses and Governor refuse to act Angry that frontier colonists are NOT represented in House of Burgesses Gov. Berkeley calls Bacon’s army “illegal” so Bacon sets fire to Jamestown Exposed the growing power of the colony’s former indentured servants Indentured servitude is outlawed Slavery becomes dominant form of Labor Wealthy try to get a tighter grip on their power Rebellion