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The Voyage
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Three small ships sailed from England to establish a colony in Virginia, arriving in May 1607. Jamestown became America's first permanent English settlement. |
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Powhatan and Pocahontas
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Powhatan was the paramount chief of some 30 Powhatan Indian tribes when English settlers arrived at Jamestown in 1607. His daughter Pocahontas befriended the English and at times served as intermediary between the two cultural groups.
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Africans
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Africans, who arrived against their will in 1619 had no choice other than to
adapt to the conditions in which they found themselves. This included learning new English customs and language and having their own traditions ignored or discouraged by those around them.
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Religion
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Religion, notably Protestantism, played a central role in the life of the colonists, illustrated by the famous cross-planting at Cape Henry and the early construction of several churches within the Jamestown colony. |
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John Smith
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Brought to Jamestown as a captive, Captain John Smith became part of the governing council of Jamestown and an iconic historical figure due to his skillful leadership of the threatened colony and strong relationships with the Native Americans. |
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Profit Motive
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Jamestown was founded primarily as a commercial investment by the shareholders of The Virginia Company. But the colony simply struggled to survive for many years. Tobacco eventually proved to be the "gold" of the region - although the original Jamestown investors never did reap their own hoped-for returns. |
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Representative
Government
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Shareholder discontent with martial law in the new colony prompted the creation of the "New Charter" which directly led to the first legislative assembly in the New World. |
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Women
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Starting in 1608, women began arriving in Jamestown, where many could achieve a status and freedom unheard of in England. |
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Slavery
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Although slavery was not a prominent component of the early Jamestown settlement, the institution took root in Virginia with the growth of the tobacco industry and became a prototype for the other colonies. |
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Hardships
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Early 17th-century Jamestown colonists had a difficult time adjusting to the environment of Virginia. For several years, the colony struggled through supply shortages, sickness, death and lack of strong leadership, and it depended on a constant stream of settlers and provisions to survive. |
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International Trade
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Virginia played an important role in the 17th-century world economy. The colony became the main supplier of tobacco to England and Europe and imported manufactured goods made in many parts of the world.
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Powhatans and Trade
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Trade between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan Indians became increasingly important. The English relied on the Indians for food and information, while the Powhatan found English copper and metal tools desireable. |
