Jamestown Argumentative Essay

Edmond Morgan builds an easy to understand case of explaining the initial failures of the Jamestown colony. He credits the failures to chaotic organization, laziness, the makeup of the population, and poor ideas for prosperity.

King James I approved of the first colonist ship in 1607 which would create Jamestown. These 110 people originally came for riches. Many colonists died in Jamestown because the English were not prepared to survive against starvation and Indian attacks. Document B is a chronology (timeline) based of a magazine by J. Frederick Fausz. The magazine is entitled “An Abundance of Bloodshed on Both Sides: England’s First Indian War, 1609-1614.”

Jamestown had become the English first permanent settlement in America; however, the English would not stay confined to the limited land. Throughout the years, Jamestown would turn into the 13 colonies since many found that wealth and freedom was found in America. In the early 1700s, the population had stretched to 250,000; by 1750, it grown to over a million. With the growth of the population came issues over land as the colonist kept pushing their borders. As stated in the textbook, “Moreover, as the northernmost group of British colonies, New England had contested frontiers where powerful Native Americans, especially the Iroquois and Mahicans, jealously guarded their territory” (Roark 108). This shows how the growing population would causes conflict with surrounding territories. Although, this

Of all the English settlers that arrived in early Jamestown from 1607 to 1611, 80% of them died. The first three ships arrived at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay bringing just over one hundred settlers who would attempt to establish the first English settlement. Fifty miles up the James River, the colonists chose a piece of land that seemed to be full of resources, and called it Jamestown. Those who study early Jamestown often wonder why so many colonists died despite the resources that were originally thought to be available. Environmental problems, lack of settler skills, and poor relationships with Native Americans were the main contributors to the high percentage of colonists’ death.

The settlers at Jamestown made contact with Native Americans through many artifacts such as the bill, shot, archaic point, celts, and Roanoke Simple Stamped Pot. The bill was used as an agricultural tool to prune trees and slash brush in the 16th century for England. For the Native Americans, the bill was useful for guerilla warfare and soon engaged with the Virginians. The shot was used for a falconet, or a six foot long gun weighing more than 500 pounds. The Native Americans and Chief Powhatan were offered these tiny circular iron balls and took them as a gift. The archaic point was made from quartzite. Before the english landed on the hill of james Fort, the Native Americans provided fish and starchy resources. This point was made from the

Several colonies and cities have gone through some mysterious and incredible pasts which cannot be forgotten for long. Similar kind of history has been witnessed in Jamestown and Plymouth. Jamestown in Virginia was the first permanent English settlement and Plymouth in Massachusetts being the second, with these two colonies English settlement in North America was started. Both places are famous for their historical background and that is why they hold the attention of people even today. Both communities have had their own set of conflicts between the people residing there already and those who came to that place later. In both these places, the reason for the problem was different. Problems such as economic and religious and racial problems were the most prominent ones among both these places. Jamestown and Plymouth, today, are quoted as two popular places , although both of them are not even in the same territory , but far off from each other

The leadership strengths and weaknesses of John Smith evoked a profound effect on the Jamestown colony. The fact that Smith actually arrived in the colony as a common prisoner and was able to achieve the leadership role that he gained is amazing. His creativity and knowledge in certain areas actually saved the colonists from attack and starvation in the early days. Some of the rules he enforced as a leader were actually instrumental in saving the colony. His skill in dealing with the natives allowed him to gain their support and continue trade that resulted in the survival of the colony.

James town was the first settlement in North America and was developed mainly to supply to the mother country with new goods. Being the first settlement James Town had challenges they had to overcome versus Massachusetts which was a town started by a religious group known as Puritans who had no obligation to England other than coming to North America to practice their religion freely.

The English had two main colonies in the new world, Jamestown and Plymouth. The first colony was Jamestown, established in Virginia in 1607. Jamestown was settled by Captain John Smith, and was named after King James I. Tobacco was the main export of Jamestown, and became the basis of the Jamestown economy, sending more than 50,000 lbs of the plan back to Europe by 1618 (textbook 46). Jamestown had a very rocky start, many colonists dying in the first few years of the settlement, and the settlers had many problems with natives. Shortly after the arrival of English colonists the Natives attacked them, and were finally forced back by a canon from the English. A very uneasy truce was finally settled between the natives, called the Powhatans,

In spite of the many Indian massacres, Jamestown still grew to be a successful colony. The London Company was the main founder of Jamestown. The London Company's founders believed that there were precious metals in America so they sent a group of settlers to Jamestown. The trip to the Americas was not a very easy one for these settlers. They had to overcome many obstacles just to get to the Americas. In 1619 the House of Burgesses was formed which marked the first legislative body in America. Jamestown was plagued by many disasters. They were faced with one continuous disaster, Indian wars. They fought over land with Indians for many years. The London Company, creation of the colony, and

The thirteen colonies started in 1607, before this England tried to do a colony called Jamestown unfortunately it failed to become a colony. Later the king that had tried to start the Jamestown colony died, then in 1607 the new king and queen Elizabeth I decided to try again this time it worked the first colony was called Virginia and was named after Queen Elizabeth I. Virginia was not dominated by a specific religion they welcomed Baptists, Anglicans, and others. The thirteen colonies included Virginia, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Jamestown, the birthplace of America was the first permanent english settlement in North America. In April 1606, King James I established Jamestown and on May 13, 1607, colonists began to arrive at Jamestown. When establishing Jamestown as a colony, the Virginia Company was in search of economic opportunities. The citizens wanted to escape poverty and prosecution. They wanted to be able to believe in what they wanted. The first month in Jamestown was a struggle for all passengers. The moment the passengers came ashore, they immediately began on settlement. Serious problems soon emerged when about 15,000-25,000 Indians were already living in the Chesapeake Bay when the colony was founded. The Indians were part of the Powhatan Confederacy which was ruled by Powhatan, a powerful leader. At this time, the English settlers were looking for gold that no one was farming. In this situation, Captain John Smith became the colony’s leader and established a “no work, no food” policy. Smith had been instrumental in trading with the Powhatan Indians for food but their relationship was tense in all aspects. After he was injured by a burning gunpowder in 1608 and left for England, the “starving time” began. This was a period of warfare between the colonists and Indians and the depth of many English men

Native Americans were somehow powerful and had everything that English colonists wanted. They were seeking wealth and they had the answers in Jamestown. When tobacco start growing, the English colony became powerful and expanded their colony over Jamestown peninsula. Powhatan Indians were disappointed when English did not maintain a trading way with them. In 1622 Native Americans took a step forward by attacking the colony. They killed 347 colonists. As it is stated on the second chapter of the book, The American Yawp, “The colonist retaliated and revisited the massacres upon Indian settlements many times over. The Massacre freed the colonist to drive the Indians off their land.” Once the English colony gained power, they forgot about the people who kept them alive, they forgot about Native Americans. English colonists were so ungrateful and blind because they had one goal in mind, and that was to be wealthy. They didn't care how they would gain wealth. The only thing that mattered to them was gaining

What is the significance of Jamestown? “Jamestown introduced slavery into English speaking North America; it became the first of England’s colonies to adopt a representative government; and it was the site of the first clashes between whites and Indians over territorial expansion. Jamestown began the tenuous, often violent, mingling of different peoples that came to embody the American experience.” Dr. James Horn A Land As God Made It.

The Colonial period is abundant in its source of influential people who help shape present society through questioning past beliefs. Martin Luther leads the Protestant Reformation. John Calvin expands on the idea of predestination. The Puritans live strictly by the word of the Bible, and the Quakers inspire many people to join them in their friendly lifestyle. All of these people contribute to our society today and brave the face of adversity.