Saturday, September 9, 2017

What is the history of the Jamestown colony in Virginia?

Jamestown was the first English settlement in North America that was permanently settled, established in May of 1607. Jamestown was the capital of the Colony of Virginia for many years, from 1616 until 1699. This colony developed in the territory of the Powhatan Confederacy, a Native American tribe, and was built on the shores of the James River.
Captain Christopher Newport led the fleet of ships, the Discovery, the Godspeed, and the Susan Constant. The journey took approximately four months to cross the Atlantic Ocean for the 214 settlers. The location was chosen after exploring the surrounding areas because it was a strategic and defensible area. After settling the area, "The Starving Time" occurred between 1609 to 1610, where many perished due to the lack of supplies.
Virginian government was then developed to help govern the settlers.The House of Burgesses, a representative assembly and the first in the New World, was established in 1619. It established a uniform government in Virginia and later became the Virginia General Assembly.
The colony became more prosperous largely related to a cash crop, tobacco, which helped the area to prosper. It became a royal colony in 1624. The structures were burned during a revolt known as Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, but it was rebuilt. After a second fire struck, the legislation moved to Williamsburg, then known as Middle Plantation, in Virginia.
Jamestown eventually became largely abandoned. It was the site of Civil War action and a meeting place for runaway slaves. Historic preservation was then started in 1892, now known as Historic Jamestowne. The nation was able to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2007.


The Jamestown Colony was the first permanent North American settlement by Great Britain. About one hundred settlers traveled on the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery for the new world. They landed in present-day Virginia and settled on a piece of land near the Powhatan River. They called this river the James River and, subsequently, the settlement Jamestown, after King James I. One of the most notable of the settlers was John Smith. Smith was able to create a friendly relationship between the local Powhatan tribe that resulted in trade. He was also vital in starting the agricultural work needed to sustain a settlement.
Life in Jamestown was exceptionally rough. The settlers themselves were not prepared for the land. The Native Americans avoided the land because of the poor fertility. Skirmishes between the settlers and the Native Americans broke out frequently. One grueling winter saw several hundred settlers die from starvation and the elements. However, resupplies soon came and the colony began to expand at multiple points along the river. The growth of tobacco was essentially the backbone of the local economy, and Jamestown ultimately turned from a colony to the capital of the newly founded Virginia.
https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/jamestown

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