The Survival of Jamestown
The Survival of Jamestown
Alexis Louviere
3TR
October 31, 2014
Though Jamestown was not the first of its kind, it is recognized by many as the first successful colony settled by the English in the seventeenth century. The story of Jamestown is fundamental in one’s understanding of the evolution of Colonial America. Through the acts of Captain John Smith, Jamestown was able to prosper in ways that the first colony of the New World, Roanoke, was not. His leadership and diligence guided the colony through a lack of provisions and orders from the London Company. The cultivation of tobacco by John Rolfe was a huge factor in the expansion of the New World , which provided settlers with a means of acquiring money and land. The headright system further enabled this growth in cooperation with the tobacco industry by allowing more settlers to travel to the New World with guaranteed land ownership.
Founded by Sir Walter Raleigh, Roanoke paved the way for Jamestown1. Many have gone on to title it The Lost Colony because it is known for the mysterious disappearance of its settlers. Raleigh was unable to supply Roanoke with the necessary provisions and materials for survival2. The colony was ultimately unsuccessful, and many theories were posed about the vanishing of the colonists. One theory by Robert Beverly II suggests that the Indians in the area (possibly the Powhatan’s) took advantage of those waiting for supplies and took over the colony by getting rid of the settlers3. Though this is one commonly accepted view, it is not the only theory that has been conceived.
Shortly after the loss of Roanoke, Chief Justice Popham drew up a charter with the intention to settle another colony similar to Sir Walter Raleigh’s. King James I signed a patent that secured the plans on April 10, 16064. The London Company was formed in order to settle this proposed colony5. Once created, the business was to find prospective settlers, secure transportation and
Alexis Louviere
3TR
October 31, 2014
Though Jamestown was not the first of its kind, it is recognized by many as the first successful colony settled by the English in the seventeenth century. The story of Jamestown is fundamental in one’s understanding of the evolution of Colonial America. Through the acts of Captain John Smith, Jamestown was able to prosper in ways that the first colony of the New World, Roanoke, was not. His leadership and diligence guided the colony through a lack of provisions and orders from the London Company. The cultivation of tobacco by John Rolfe was a huge factor in the expansion of the New World , which provided settlers with a means of acquiring money and land. The headright system further enabled this growth in cooperation with the tobacco industry by allowing more settlers to travel to the New World with guaranteed land ownership.
Founded by Sir Walter Raleigh, Roanoke paved the way for Jamestown1. Many have gone on to title it The Lost Colony because it is known for the mysterious disappearance of its settlers. Raleigh was unable to supply Roanoke with the necessary provisions and materials for survival2. The colony was ultimately unsuccessful, and many theories were posed about the vanishing of the colonists. One theory by Robert Beverly II suggests that the Indians in the area (possibly the Powhatan’s) took advantage of those waiting for supplies and took over the colony by getting rid of the settlers3. Though this is one commonly accepted view, it is not the only theory that has been conceived.
Shortly after the loss of Roanoke, Chief Justice Popham drew up a charter with the intention to settle another colony similar to Sir Walter Raleigh’s. King James I signed a patent that secured the plans on April 10, 16064. The London Company was formed in order to settle this proposed colony5. Once created, the business was to find prospective settlers, secure transportation and