Why did England want to establish a colony in America?
England wanted to increase its wealth and power and compete wiht other European nations.
What three things did the King of England hope to find in America?
silver, gold, and raw materials that were not found in England
How would an American settlement affect trade in England?
It would open new markets for trade.
Who financed the economic venture of Jamestown?
the stockholders of the Virginia Company of London
What was the first permanent English Settlement in British North America? When was it founded?
Jamestown in 1607
Along what river did the first settlers establish Jamestown?
the James River
How was the original location of Jamestown different from its location today?
Jamestown was founded on a narrow peninsula. Now it's located on an island (because of erosion).
Why did the settlers choose the site at Jamestown? (Give three reasons)
They believed that the site: -could be easily defended from attack by sea -had water deep enough for their ships to dock -had a good supply of fresh water
Who granted the charter to the Virginia Company of London?
the King of England
Who was the King of England when Jamestown was established?
King James I
The charters of the Virginia Company of London allowed the company to establish a settlement in what place?
North America
What document extended English rights to the settlers in Jamestown?
the charters of the Virginia Company of London
Virginia's government dates back to 1619. What was Jamestown's system of government called at that time?
the General Assembly
When did the governor of Virginia call the first meeting of the General Assembly?
in 1619
In 1619, what were the three branches of the General Assembly?
the governor, the governor's council, and the burgesses
The General Assembly included two elected representatives from each of the divisions in Virginia. What were they called?
burgesses
In 1619, who was allowed to take part in the General Assembly?
certain free adult men
What was the importance of the General Assembly and its burgess in Jamestown?
It was the first elected legislative body in English America. It allowed some settlers to take part in controlling their government.
When did the burgesses become a separate legislative body (known as the House of Burgesses)?
by the 1640s
When, and from where, did African men and women come to Jamestown?
They came from present-day Angola in 1619.
Why did African men and women come to Jamestown>
African men and women were captured by Portuguese sailors and brought to Jamestown against their will.
Were the first Africans to arrive in Jamestown servants or enslaved people?
It's unknown
What effect did the arrival of Africans have in Jamestown?
The arrival of Africans made it possible to expand the tobacco economy.
Who arrived in Jamestown in 1620, making it possible for more settlers to start families?
additional women
Name one hardship the settlers of Jamestown faced.
the site they chose was marshy-no safe drinking water, they lacked survival skills, many settlers died of starvation and disease, a drought reduced the food supply
Name a change that took place that resulted int he survival of the Jamestown settlers.
the arrival of ships bringing supplies and new settlers, the forced work program and strong leadership of Captain John Smith, the emphasis on agriculture, new settlements developed
Captain John Smith began trading relationships with the native people. What did they trade?
The native peoples traded food, fur, and leather in exchange for tools, pots, and copper for jewelry
What did Powhatan and his people teach the settlers?
Powhatan taught the settlers survival skills, such as how to plant corn and harvest tobacco.
Who served as a contact between the native peoples and the English settlers?
Pocahontas, the daughter of Powhatan
How did the native peoples feel about the settlers?
As the Jamestown settlement grew, the native peoples saw the settlers as invaders who would take over their land.