Essay On Early Jamestown
Jamestown is the first permanent English settlement in America, and a widely used model in American history lessons. The early English colonists settled there in 1607 and faced a tough life. They suffered from drought, starving, illness and coldness. Approximately two-thirds of them died in the first three years. The main cause of their death was lack of basic living skills, especially farming. The natural environment also oppressed them. We inspect the colony's social and natural environment, and analyze their influence on the settlers.
The settlers lacked essential agricultural skills for living. There were 110 settlers arriving in 1607 as pioneers. 47 of them were gentlemen, and 28 had unrecorded occupation (Smith). Their numbers add up …show more content…
The climate in Virginia differed significantly from that in England. It caused unexpected troubles for the settlers. Jamestown is located in James River Estuary, where brackish water rose with the tides and invaded the settlers' wells (Blanton). Between 1607 and 1610, Jamestown's rainfall index was 2 points below average (Stahle). There was not abundant fresh water supply for drink and irrigation. It increased the difficulty for farming.
In contrast to the settlers, the native Indians were familiar with the farming conditions in Jamestown. The settlers failed to learn from them. They trade grain with the Indians, but not agricultural skills for persistent production. They did not respect the Indians during the trades. Francis West forced his trade by killing and torturing them (No\"el Hume). The settlers could have earned stable support from the Indians, and gradually adapted to the environment in Jamestown. In fact, their conflict with the Indians kept escalating (Fausz). Their living skills remained undeveloped.
In conclusion, the settlers had not obtained enough living skills. They failed to adapt to the extensively different farming conditions in the New World, and missed the chance to get support from the Indians. The unfortunately harsh geographical environment worsened their
The settlers lacked essential agricultural skills for living. There were 110 settlers arriving in 1607 as pioneers. 47 of them were gentlemen, and 28 had unrecorded occupation (Smith). Their numbers add up …show more content…
The climate in Virginia differed significantly from that in England. It caused unexpected troubles for the settlers. Jamestown is located in James River Estuary, where brackish water rose with the tides and invaded the settlers' wells (Blanton). Between 1607 and 1610, Jamestown's rainfall index was 2 points below average (Stahle). There was not abundant fresh water supply for drink and irrigation. It increased the difficulty for farming.
In contrast to the settlers, the native Indians were familiar with the farming conditions in Jamestown. The settlers failed to learn from them. They trade grain with the Indians, but not agricultural skills for persistent production. They did not respect the Indians during the trades. Francis West forced his trade by killing and torturing them (No\"el Hume). The settlers could have earned stable support from the Indians, and gradually adapted to the environment in Jamestown. In fact, their conflict with the Indians kept escalating (Fausz). Their living skills remained undeveloped.
In conclusion, the settlers had not obtained enough living skills. They failed to adapt to the extensively different farming conditions in the New World, and missed the chance to get support from the Indians. The unfortunately harsh geographical environment worsened their