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Published byWalter Arnold Modified over 8 years ago
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The Colonies JAMESTOWN/VIRGINIA
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Four Colonial Subcultures The Chesapeake New England Middle Colonies The Carolinas English colonization did not spring from a desire to build a centralized Empire (The Crown issued charters to a wide variety of people)
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Entrepreneurs in Virginia Joint-stock companies provided financing English stockholders in Virginia Company expected instant profits Jamestown settled in 1607 Mostly men Searched for instant wealth, gold Colony’s location in a swampy, unhealthy Unsuitable for typical European crops Colonists did not work for common good
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Chesapeake Colonies, 1640
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Spinning Out of Control 1608-1609—John Smith imposed order If you want to eat, you must work 1609—London Company re-organized colonial government (all political and economic decisions rested with the company) 1609-1610 “Starving Time” It ended by arrival of Lord De La Warr, fresh settlers, and martial law
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Conflicts with Natives Conflict with Powhattan tribe Contributed to “starving time” 1622—natives attempted to drive out English (killed 347 settlers) 1644—second attempt to drive out English less productive; Powhattan empire destroyed
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“Stinking Weed” 1610—John Rolfe introduced tobacco 1618—Reforms of Edwin Sandys (large stockholder) House of Burgesses instituted for Virginia self- government (attract investors to colony) Headright: 50-acre lot granted to each colonist who paid his own transportation, or for each servant brought into the colony Allowed development of huge estates Brought indentured servants
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Time of Reckoning Population increase prevented by imbalanced sex ratio 3570 colonists to Virginia, 1619-1622 Men outnumbered women 6:1 after 1619 Contagious disease killed settlers 1618: Virginia population numbered 700 1618-1622: 3000 immigrated 1622: Virginia population numbered 1240
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Legacy of Virginian Company Problems of colony blamed on greed and mismanagement of London Company 1624—King James I dissolved London Company Virginia became a royal colony House of Burgesses continued to meet Indentured servants denied promised land
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