Colonization ROANOAKE AND JAMESTOWN

Words you need to know Write these down….. Colony--country ruled by another: a country or area that is ruled by another country Charter—a document which gives the holder the right to organize settlements in an area Joint-stock company—a company in which investors bought stock (part ownership) in return for a share of future profits. Emigrate—to LEAVE one’s place of residence or country Immigrate—to COME to a country for permanent residence.

So the Spanish got here first…. Then why do we speak English? England and Spain had been headed for war for years. England had a Protestant ruler (Queen Elizabeth I), and Spain was Catholic. King Phillip II wanted to defeat England and put a Catholic ruler on the throne once again. He was also angry that English adventures such as Sir Francis Drake kept attacking and raiding his ships and ports. In 1588, Phillip II sent the entire Spanish Armada (armed naval ships) to defeat the English Navy. He failed—BIG TIME. Once the armada had been defeated, Spain was no longer competitive on the seas. Hopes for big-time colonization were crushed. England now had the best navy and started their own efforts to settle the New World.

ROANOKE In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland (a modern-day Canadian province) for Queen Elizabeth. He died at sea… The next year, Sir Walter Raleigh got the right to claim more land in North America. His scouts found a place they called Roanoke Island, off the coast of present day North Carolina. In 1585, he sent 100 men to settle there and make a permanent colony. The winter was hard, and they decided to go back to England. In 1587, Raleigh tried again. This time he sent 91 men, 17 women, and 9 children to Roanoke. John White led the group. His wife gave birth after they arrived and they named their little girl Virginia Dare. She was the first English child born in North America. They explored and made maps of the area and described the Native American settlements. They began building a colony. However, they needed many supplies, and White sailed to England to get them. He hoped to return within a month, but the war with Spain delayed him for nearly three years. When he returned, the colony was deserted. Only the word Croatoan was carved in the gate post. The colonists were never found.

Why Colonize? Especially if the LAST colonists….gulp….disappeared?

ACTIVITY With a partner, complete the Scenario and be ready to discuss with the class.

JAMESTOWN The idea for a colony emerged again in Several groups of merchants sought charters from King James I. The Virginia Company ( a joint-stock company) received a charter to create a colony in Virginia. In December 1606, it sent 144 settlers in three ships to settle in the new world. In April 1607, the ships entered Chesapeake Bay, sailed up a river and created a settlement which they named Jamestown.

Hard Times Jamestown was located in a swampy area which lacked good farm land. The colonists faced hardships over the next several months. Many were only there to find gold and adventure and were not used to hard labor. They were treasure hunting when they should have been planting food. Disease and hunger took a toll on the colonists. By spring 1608, there were only 38 survivors.

JOHN SMITH The colony managed to survive its first two years due to the leadership of Captain John Smith. He was an experienced soldier and explorer who forced people to work. “Those who do not work. Do not eat.” He managed to get corn from Chief Powhattan.

Starving Time In August 1609, 400 new settlers arrived. Two months later, John Smith returned to England. That winter ( ) was hard. Most of the settlers died. It is called the “Starving Time.” In the spring when new settlers arrived, only 60 of the previous colonists were alive.

No Gold. No Silver! Treasure hunting was a bust. However, a man named John Rolfe, learned to grow tobacco from some seeds from the West Indies. They flourished in the Virginia soil and became a cash crop. The first crop was sold to England in Soon, planters all along the James River were growing tobacco for export. They began to make money and prosper as a colony. John Rolfe later married Chief Powhattan’s daughter, Pocahontas. He changed her name to Rebecca Rolfe.

In 1614, Colonists began to rent and grow crops on their land. They got to keep most of what they grew. Why is this important? Now, they were responsible for their own food, they worked harder and were more competitive.

Private ownership was expanded in 1618 when all those who paid their own way were granted 100 acres of land. To attract others, the joint-stock company began to offer 50 acres to all who paid their way and then 50 more acres for each person over 15 years who came with them (family and servants). They called this offer a headright. What might be a result of offering this land?

Representative Government Settlers began to complain about not having any say in their government. The Virginia Company was making all the rules. In 1619, the Virginia Company decided to let the colonists have some say in their government. Ten towns in the colony each sent two representatives called burgesses to an assembly. The assembly had the right to make local laws for the colony. On July 30, 1619, the Virginia House of Burgesses met for the first time in a church in Jamestown. – Why a church? – Why is this important?

New Arrivals In 1619, The Virginia Company sent 90 women to Jamestown. “The plantation can never flourish till families be planted, and the respect of wives and children fix people on the soil.” A Dutch ship brought twenty Africans who were sold to tobacco planters to work in the fields. These Africans may have been more like servants who had the option to get their freedom after working a certain number of years. Until 1640, some Africans were free and had property. William Tucker, the first African born in the American colonies, was a free man. However, more shiploads came and slavery became a common practice which was legalized in the 1660s.

Because of financial problems with the Virginia Company and because of attacks by Native Americans, King James I made Virginia a royal colony for England.

What is a…. – Charter a document which gives the holder the right to organize settlements in an area – Burgess A representative sent to an assembly Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619 – Joint-stock company a company in which investors bought stock (part ownership) in return for a share of future profits.

Why did the Virginia Company establish colonies in North America? – Originally they wanted gold and to trade for fish and furs.

Economic Factors What economic activity helped save the Jamestown settlement? Growing tobacco helped save the Jamestown settlement.

Making Inferences Why do you think the king of England was willing to let a group of merchants try to establish a colony in North America? The king wanted both the political power of ruling overseas colonies and economic rewards, without risking his nation’s resources on the venture.