The Struggle to Found Colonies Chapter 5 The Struggle to Found Colonies Lesson 1 Hard Times in Virginia

The Lost Colony of Roanoke In the late 1500’s, England began attempts to establish colonies in the New World. The colony at Roanoke Island was their first attempt. Neither of two attempts by the English to establish a colony on the island of Roanoke was successful. What do you think happened to the “lost colony?” Think, Ink, Wink! Think of the reasons for English exploration and colonization…Write them on your white board. Hold it facing out so your tablemates can take a “wink” at it. Silently consider each other’s ideas.

Elizabeth I Queen of England 1558-1603 The Armada Portrait, c.1588.  Attributed to George Gower (c.1546-1596) This is probably the most iconic portrait of Elizabeth the Virgin Queen (and is one of three versions in existence). Her hand is firmly on the globe and the Imperial crown reflects her equality with the Holy Roman Emperor and her status as Empress of the world, while the mermaid hints at her command of the seas. Her dress, in her preferred colors of black and white, also proclaims her rank and is covered with her favorite gems and precious pearls from the sea, a sign of purity.

The Battle of the Spanish Armada England’s attempt to build a colony in North America angered Spain’s King Philip II. Sir Francis Drake, an English captain, raided Spanish ships as they carried gold and silver from the Americas to Spain. England became one of the world’s most powerful nations after defeating Spain in the Battle of the Spanish Armada. “Their force is wonderful great and strong, yet we pluck their feathers by little and little.” This quote by Lord Howard,commander of the English fleet, addresses how a smaller, weaker English force was eventually able to defeat the Spanish. What were some of the factors that contributed to this?

The Jamestown Colony The Virginia Company of London raised money to establish Jamestown. They needed a charter from King James I to set up a colony, and sold stock to raise the money. Let’s define those two terms. John Smith, one of its settlers, called Jamestown “a very fit place for erecting a great city.” Was he right? Charter: a document that permitted colonists to settle on land claimed by their ruler. Stock: shares in a company or business venture.

John Smith and the “Starving Time” The colonists of Jamestown suffered in their new environment. They began dying of starvation and disease. Many wasted their time searching for gold rather than meeting their needs. The colony was nearly abandoned. When John Smith was elected to lead the colony, conditions improved. Smith had colonists plant crops, dig wells, build houses, and fish for food. He established trade with the Powhatan What do we know, or not know, about

Tobacco Helps Jamestown Grow In 1612, tobacco became Virginia’s first cash crop. As the demands for tobacco increased, so did the size of the farms and the need for help. Indentured servants agreed to work the farms, but many of them died from disease, overwork, and mistreatment. What is an indentured servant? Self-Government in Virginia The Virginia House of Burgesses, the first law-making assembly in an English colony, helped to establish the tradition of self-government in the English colonies.

John Smith