Chapter 3, Section 1 – Early English Settlements

1. Chapter 3, Section 1 – Early English Settlements - In August 1588, at the Battle of Gravelines, the English Navy defeated the mighty Spanish armada (the Spanish were the strongest naval force in the world at the time). - The British victory marked the end of Spanish control of the seas and cleared the way for other nations to start colonies in North America. - In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland for England, but he died at sea while exploring further. - In 1584, Queen Elizabeth gave Sir Walter Raleigh the right to claim land in North America. - Raleigh sent scouts to pick an area of North America to settle. - When his scouts returned, they told Raleigh of Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina. - In 1585, Raleigh sent about 100 men to settle Roanoke Island. After a difficult winter, they returned to England. - In 1587, Raleigh sent 117 people (91 men, 17 women & 9 children) to Roanoke Island. John White led the group. Shortly after they arrived, White’s daughter gave birth to a daughter – the first English child born in North America. Her name was Virginia Dare. - As the colony expanded, more supplies were needed. White sailed back to England for supplies & more colonists. - England’s war with Spain (which we just learned about) delayed White’s return to Roanoke for three years. - When White returned to Roanoke, he found the colony deserted. The only clue to the fate of the settlers was the word “CROATOAN” carved into a gatepost. - White thought that the colonists may have moved to Croatoan Island, 50 miles to the south, but a huge storm prevented White from investigating further, and the colonists were never heard from again. - Several theories exist as to what may have happened to the colonists of Roanoke Island. *Some believe that the colonists assimilated with Natives and moved from the island either inland or to another island. Others believe the Natives attacked & forcefully moved the settlers. * Another belief is that the colonists did not have enough food and died while searching for food. * Yet another theory is that the colonists, who were left with several small boats, tried to explore and were lost at sea. * Another theory, which is unlikely, is that the Spanish attacked the colony. - Further English exploration stopped for a short time. - In 1606, several groups of merchants sought charters from King James I of England. - The Virginia Company of London, a joint-stock company, requested a royal charter with the purpose of establishing a colony in North America. - On April 10, 1606, James I granted the charter & in December 144 settlers in 3 ships (the Susan Constant, the Godspeed & the Discovery) were sent to build a new colony in North America. The settlers were supposed to look for gold & attempt to trade fish & furs. The voyage was long – 144 days – & 40 people died on the way. - In April 1607, the ships entered the Chesapeake Bay & sailed up a river, which they named the James River. They built a settlement on a peninsula in order to be able to defend themselves. They named the settlement Jamestown - Jamestown lacked good farmland. Most of the land was swampy & disease-carrying mosquitoes were abundant. - Because London investors in the Virginia Company expected quick profits, settlers searched for gold & silver when they should have been growing food. - The settlers were also not accustomed to hard labor, and disease & hunger affected them. - When more ships arrived with supplies & new settlers in 1608, only 38 of the original settlers remained alive. - The Jamestown colony survived its first two years in large part to a 27 year old man named Captain John Smith, who was an experienced soldier & explorer. - Smith forced settlers to work, explore the area & he was able to obtain corn from the local Powhatan Natives led by Chief Powhatan. - In August 1609, 400 new settlers arrived at Jamestown. John Smith returned to England. - That winter, many settlers starved & died. Fighting broke out with the Natives as well. - When more settlers arrived in the spring, only 60 survivors remained. (continued)

2. Chapter 3, Section 1 – Early English Settlements(continued) - The Virginia colonists did not find gold or silver, but they found other ways to make money. - A colonist named John Rolfe learned to grow tobacco using seeds from the West Indies. - In 1614, the colonists sold the first crop of tobacco in England. Soon, many planters in Jamestown were growing & selling tobacco, which allowed the colony to prosper & grow. - Relations with the Natives also improved after Rolfe married Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan. - By 1618, the Virginia Company offered 100 acres of land to any colonist who paid their own way to the colony. More land was granted for each family member. - In 1619 the Virginia Company allowed settlers to have a say in government. - Ten towns of the colony each sent 2 representatives, called Burgesses, to an assembly, called the House of Burgesses, which had the rights to make local laws. - In 1619 the Virginia Company also sent 90 women to the colony so that the colony could expand naturally, without sending new settlers from England. - Also in 1619, a Dutch ship brought 20 Africans to the Virginia colony. - These Africans were sold to Virginia planters to labor in the profitable tobacco fields. - These Africans may have been sent to work for a period of time as servants & not slaves. - Until about 1640 some Africans in Jamestown were free & owned property, including William Tucker, the first African American born in the colonies. - It was not until 1660 that slavery was first recognized in Virginia law. - In 1624 the Virginia Company of London faced financial problems. - The King of England cancelled their charter. - Jamestown became the first royal colony for England in the Americas. QUESTIONS * How & when was the Jamestown settlement established? * How did the Jamestown settlement survive? * How & when did colonists receive political rights? * Why did the Virginia Company establish settlements in North America?