A Brave New WorldEnglish Colonization in North America

Focus Question:What factors might encourage you to move to

a different part of the U.S.?

ObjectivesAfter today’s lesson, you will:Identify three factors contributing to the

growth of the Virginia Colony.Describe the challenges faced by Virginia

colonists and steps taken to face those challenges

Entering the Game LateBy the time England was ready:

Spain had claimed much of South and Central America

France claimed the rich fur lands of Canada and the Mississippi Valley

English stuck withthe Atlantic seaboard

English AdvantagesExcess Population

Enclosure MovementReligious Dissent

Growth of Joint-Stock Companies

Failed Early AttemptsTrial and Error MethodPatterns established

SettlementBreakdown of order

and purposeDisease and hungerTrouble with Native Americans

Lacked Successful Model

Settlement of JamestownFounded by Virginia Company of London

Established to make a profitColonists had to find a product

Built with defense in mindLocated in marshy areaDefend against Spanish

Initial Difficulties“Starving Time”

Winter of 1609-161060 out of 500 colonists survived

Powhatan War 1610-1614Deadly struggle with local Indian nationEnded with capture of Pocahontas

Lacked financial crop

Overcame hardshipsColony passed to capable leadership

John Smith and “If You Don’t Work, You Don’t Eat”

Thomas Dale’s military leadershipLord De La Warr’s steady hand

John Rolfe and tobaccoBlended a new strain of tobaccoFound the product to make money

Recruiting SettlersHeadright System

50 acres of land given to all free settlers50 acres given for each servant brought to Virginia

Indentured ServantsPoor sold labor for passage to

VirginiaWork for 4 to 7 years for the

owner of the indentureEnabled thousands to settle in

the colony

Self-GovernmentHouse of Burgesses formed in 1619

Provided self-government for VirginiaProposed and passed lawsDetermined salary of the governor“Popularly” elected

Provided a model for futurecolonies

Achieves SuccessDeveloped New Model for Colonization

Send large numbers of family groupsEncourage small, privately owned farmsMaintain military disciplineLocate goods suitable for trade

SummaryWhat was the most important idea learned

today in class? Explain why that idea stood out.