PERIOD 2: THE ENGLISH SEEK AN EMPIRE

How did the Virginia colony change and evolve between 1607 and the 1670s?

JAMESTOWN:

• Established in 1607• The Virginia Company= a joint stock company

-motivated to “propagate the Christian religion” and “turn a

profit” (pg. 43)• Jamestown chosen for defense, ended up being bad

for the settlers health.• John Smith: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”

RELATIONS WITH NATIVES:

• The Powhatan Confederacy.• Settlers were dependent on Indians to survive.• Jamestown was not ideal for farming.• Many settlers refused to farm.• 9 months after arrival, only 38 of 105 settlers still

lived.• Powhatan initially helped settlers in hopes for

trade, but motives were more based on controlling them. (Story of John Smith’s “capture”)

How did the Virginia colony change and evolve between arrival in Jamestown and “starving

time?”1. Did it seem as if the colony would flourish?2. How would you describe Indian relations?

1. not likely. By spring of 1610, 7 of every 8 original settlers were dead. (pg 43)

2. still suspicious. Both sides seem to have a mutual interest yet still sought to be independent from each other.

BEHOLD, TOBACCO!

• John Rolfe, 1612.• Tobacco= gold; drastically improved the

outlook for Jamestown.• Tobacco also had a major impact of

English/Indian relations.• Exports increased dramatically as demand

rose.• Led to an emphasis on Indentured servants.

JAMESTOWN BECOMES A ROYAL COLONY:

• fighting with the Powhatan created many problems.

• By 1623, King James took control of the Virginia Company, making Jamestown a royal colony.

• By 1646, Chesapeake Indians submitted to English authority, and were essentially driven from the coast.

EXPANDING THE COLONY:

• Establishment of Maryland, 1632• Virginia Slave Law, 1662• Bacon’s Rebellion, 1676

*What were the consequences of these developments?

Write a thesis statement:

• How did the Virginia colony change and evolve between 1607 and the 1670s?