Jamestown, Virginia 1607 Jamestown, 1607 The Political and Economic Development of Jamestown Indentured Servants, Slavery and Tobacco

Jamestown, 1607 The Virginia London Company is given a charter by King James I. Jamestown is a joint-stock company. It has investors pull their money together to reduce their losses should the investment go bad. 1607, Jamestown becomes the 1st permanent English settlement in North America. It is located in Virginia.

Jamestown, 1607 The English hope to find gold in the flat coastal plains of the region. Jamestown will be plagued by malaria and nasty sea water that seeps into their wells.

Jamestown, 1607 Half of colonists die first year due to poor leadership and no knowledge of farming. When befriended by Indians colonists expect Indians to support them. Both groups annoyed at each other.

The Starving Time, 1609 1608, John Smith takes charge by compelling colonists to work and learn how to farm. “Starving time”, 1609 colonists face food shortages and turn to digging up graves to eat. 60 out 400 colonists are left. Jamestown is abandoned in 1610.

Economic development Process of trial and error for wealth Try mining 1607-1610 Try silk production 1611-1616 Success with tobacco 1612-1800 Process of trial and error for labor Native Americans run away Indentured servants Dutch trade African slaves for supplies in 1619

Tobacco Production

Indentured Servants Mostly young unskilled males some are skilled craftsmen Sign a 4-7 year contract which is payment for their passage to Virginia 1/2 die before contract over. But if you survive you receive clothes, food, land, and a gun

Tobacco John Rolfe introduces a milder tobacco which becomes popular in England The English need land to grow tobacco and will push the Indians off their land Indians will be removed from their land because of diseases and warfare for land to grow tobacco

Political Development 1609, John Smith, capable leader who imposed “work and order on the community” in other words “those who work, will eat” 1610, Lord Del La Warr, he was meaner than Smith, 1st governor who introduces private ownership of land to settlers in Jamestown 1619, House of Burgesses 1st elected representative assembly in North America All men ages 17 and over are allowed to vote in 1619

Lord Del La Warr arriving at Jamestown, 1610

Social Development Those who come to Jamestown are seeking gold and riches.They are not farmers and craftsmen. During Indian raids they do not help each other unless forced or lead. They are looking out for themselves.