Jamestown: The 1st Permanent English Settlement

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The 1st Permanent English Settlement
JAMESTOWN (1607)   Southern Colony

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Who?
King James I gives permission to claim colonies in the name of ENGLAND English settlers decide to live on Powhatan (Native American) land First enslaved Africans arrive in 1619

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What?
First permanent English settlement in North America ​​​​​​​Tobacco becomes major cash crop (1614)

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Where?
Jamestown, Virginia colony along the Chesapeake Bay

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When?
1607

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Why?
Profit (economic) Secure gold and wealth for England Profit for joint stock company (investors)

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How?
WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? WHO IS PAYING FOR SHIPS AND SUPPLIES? Ex: Virginia Company (Joint Stock Company)...people invest money in hopes of gaining future profits

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Problems
Looking to "get rich quick", English settlers lacked survival skills--> basic needs (food) NOT met   (1609-1610): "Starving Time": 60 colonists survived the harsh winter (cannibalism) John Smith introduced great discipline

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Making Laws
July 30, 1619: Virginia House of Burgesses formed (1st "representative" government in the colonies)

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Who could vote Burgesses/Representatives
Whites, Christian, me over 21 who owned property

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Who could not vote
Non-christians, women, Native Americans, African Americans, slaves, poor white men

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Issues
Not truly "representative" -> only wealthy white men can make laws Used power to limit the rights of others Ex: Slave Codes

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