The Founding of Jamestown: A Difficult Beginning

The Founding of Jamestown: A Difficult Beginning

In the early 17th century, European nations were eager to establish colonies in the "New World" of North America. England, in particular, hoped to find wealth and a new route to Asia. In December 1606, three ships – the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery – set sail from England, carrying 104 English men and boys. Their mission was to establish a permanent English settlement in Virginia.

After a long and difficult voyage across the Atlantic, they arrived in Chesapeake Bay in April 1607. They chose a site on a peninsula along the James River, which they believed would be easy to defend from Spanish attacks. They named their new settlement Jamestown, in honor of King James I. However, the location they chose was a swampy area, full of mosquitoes and surrounded by brackish (salty) water, which was not suitable for drinking.

The first few years at Jamestown were incredibly difficult. The colonists were not prepared for the harsh realities of the New World. Many of them were gentlemen who had no experience with farming or manual labor. They spent too much time searching for gold, which they never found, instead of planting crops or building proper shelters. Disease, especially malaria from the mosquitoes and dysentery from the bad water, was rampant. Food was scarce, and many suffered from starvation. By the end of 1607, more than half of the original colonists had died.

Their survival often depended on the local Native American tribes, particularly the Powhatan Confederacy, led by Chief Powhatan. The relationship between the colonists and the Powhatan people was complex, marked by periods of trade and assistance, but also by intense conflict and violence. Captain John Smith, one of the colony's leaders, played a pivotal role in negotiating with the Powhatan and ensuring the colony's early survival through strict rules and forced labor. He famously declared, "He that will not work, shall not eat."

The colony finally found a way to become profitable with the introduction of tobacco cultivation. John Rolfe, another colonist, successfully cross-bred tobacco plants, creating a milder, more desirable variety. This "brown gold" became Jamestown's staple crop, highly valued in England. Tobacco cultivation required a large workforce, leading to the arrival of more indentured servants from England and, tragically, the first enslaved Africans in 1619.

Despite the initial hardships and a high death rate, Jamestown persevered. It became the first permanent English settlement in North America, laying the groundwork for future English colonies and eventually the United States. Its story is a testament to the resilience of early settlers, the complex interactions with Indigenous peoples, and the unforeseen consequences of their pursuit of wealth and new beginnings.

Comprehension Questions

Answer these questions about the article "The Founding of Jamestown: A Difficult Beginning."

1. What was the main goal of the English colonists who sailed to Virginia in 1606?
2. What were two problems with the location chosen for Jamestown?
3. Why did many colonists die in the first few years at Jamestown?
4. Who was Captain John Smith, and what was his famous rule?
5. What crop helped Jamestown become profitable, and who introduced it?
6. What significant event happened in Jamestown in 1619 related to labor?