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What is the significance of
Jamestown?
Jamestown was the first permanent English colony in North
America. It was founded on May 14, 1607, near what is now
Williamsburg, Virginia.
Turn and Talk
What do you already know about
Jamestown?
Jamestown: The Beginning
Members of the Virginia Company of
London wanted to establish a permanent
trade center in the Americas for profit.
During the spring of 1606, King James I of
England granted a charter to the company.
This allowed them the right to settle,
explore, and create a government.
Did you know?
Jamestown was named after King
James I.
Turn and Talk
What does profit mean?
The Journey
The expedition from London, England, to the Americas began on
December 20, 1606. Captain Christopher Newport led the 105
colonists (all men).
They reached the Chesapeake Bay on April 26, 1607. On May 13,
they arrived at the marshy peninsula on the James River. They
anchored their three small ships: the Godspeed, the Discovery,
and the Susan Constant, on May 14.
Turn and Talk
What do you think the months-long journey was
like?
Arriving at Jamestown
While the land was marshy, there were advantages to choosing
this site.
It was close to the water, allowing ships to pull up close, making
loading and unloading easier. The area was also unoccupied. The
site was connected to the mainland by one narrow piece of land,
which made it easier to defend from intruders.
Turn and Talk
Why do you think the proximity to water was important to the
colonists?
Life in Jamestown
Jamestown Colony was established on the territory of the
Powhatan empire, ruled by Chief Powhatan. Relationships between
the colonists and Native peoples were both friendly and unfriendly.
At times, colonists and natives traded tools, goods, food, and even
gifts. On other occasions, their interactions were violent.
Life in Jamestown
Many colonists were unhappy
with the leadership within
Jamestown. In 1608, Captain
John Smith became the
president of the colony. Smith
was known for his ability to
negotiate with the Native
peoples in the area. He was a
strict leader, expecting hard
work from all colonists.
No colonists starved during
Smith's administration. More
colonists joined the colony,
including women, for the first
time.
Turn and Talk
Describe life in Jamestown to your partner. Give
examples of the challenges that the colonists
faced.
Life in Jamestown
Captain Smith left the settlement in 1609, returning to England. A
harsh winter killed many of the colonists.
Supply ships came in the late spring of 1610, and more colonists
arrived, including a man named John Rolfe.
Turn and Talk
Why do you think winter weather killed so many
colonists?
Life in Jamestown
In 1612, John Rolfe began a tobacco crop. The sale of tobacco to
England is credited for helping Jamestown survive. Rolfe married
Pocahontas, the daughter of the chief of the Powhatan
confederacy, in 1614. This marriage brought peace between the
colonists and Native peoples for eight years.
Life in Jamestown
Colonists formed a democratic government in 1619.
In 1624, Virginia became a royal colony that the king of England
ruled. At first, Jamestown was the capital of Virginia. However, in
1699 the capital was moved to Williamsburg.
Turn and Talk
Tell your partner three interesting facts about
Jamestown that you learned today.
