Early Jamestown Failure

There were 110 men willing to risk everything they had to have a new lease on life. These men were headed to Jamestown, the first permanent settlement. By the end of December only 40 settlers would survive. So, why did so many colonist die? Well many colonists died because of their water supply, their relationship with the natives, and because of their knowledge of survival. These factor lead to early death for most of the colonist.

Proverbs 12:11, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” Most people realize that the early settlers in America endured many tribulations such as food shortages, fights with Indians, quarrels among leaders, and more. What most people do not realize is that many of these early settlers squandered their time, wasted their energy, and were generally lazy and idle. This was a huge problem for early Americans because in order to survive, it was vital that they work. Why were these early Americans not motivated to work? Edmund S. Morgan, in his article The Labor Problem at Jamestown, 1607-18, suggests that there indeed was a labor problem at Jamestown. In his article, he discusses several issues that contributed to the colonist’s lack of motivation. Morgan makes a convincing case as he discusses

Several documents from the 1600s illustrate how life may have been for early Americans. Both Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano expose how people viewed the consequences and sufferings of an early colony. The writers' personal details, in combination with images and dialogue, give the most accurate picture of this historical time period that continues to shape America's future.

This journal, “Of Plymouth Plantation”, which was from Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vol. 1, written by William Bradford between 1630 and 1651, and edited by Samuel Eliot Morison in 1953, describes the story of the pilgrims who sailed from Southampton, England, on the Mayflower and settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. Those pilgrims were English Christians in the 16th and 17th centuries and religious separatists who saw no hope of reforming the Church of England from within; therefore, they hoped to separate from the Church of England and form independent local churches in another place. In order to , those pilgrims overcame many obstacles. The author had used the power of rhetoric, especially in the use of the three rhetorical

The book ‘Everyday Life in Early America’ by David Hawke provides a comprehensive account of the history of early settlers in America. It maintains that the geographic concept including the physical environment is a chief factor that influences the behavior of individuals. The author assumes that early settlers came to America in the hope of taking forward their customs and traditions while starting afresh in a foreign land. However, the physical environment brought about certain changes to their traditions and customs. The people slowly began to understand that the only way to survive would be to modify their patterns of living (Hawk, 1989).

The arrival of the first Europeans in the Americas is dramatically captured through the many writers who attempted to communicate what they saw, experienced and felt. What is more, the very purposes of their treacherous travel and colonization are clearly seen in their writings; whether it is poetry, history or sermons. Of the many literary pieces available today, William Bradford and John Winthrop’s writings, even though vary because the first is a historical account and the second is a sermon, stand out as presenting a clear trust in God, the rules that would govern them and the reason they have arrived in the Americas.

The British colonies in the Chesapeake region and those of the New England region were both similar yet different in certain ways. One because both the colonist that settled there were looking for new opportunities. However, it was mostly second son aristocrats, which means the first born usually inherits the better half of the father’s riches. Their lives in England had either been mistreated or they were unable to flourish economically. Regardless of whether they were searching the land for expansive homesteads, religious freedom, or exchanging and merchant opportunities, the colonist in both regions were searching for another land in the New World. They were getting away from issues they had experienced in England, which took into consideration colonists to be similar.

Being the first two well-known places in which the English would set out to colonize in 1607 and 1620, Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth, Massachusetts hold very separate set of beliefs, standards, and outlooks on life then and the future to come. While paving the way for things such as slavery, taxes, ownership of land, inclusion of women, tobacco and government assemblies, John Smith and the people of Jamestown became a classical foundation for new life and economic growth for the new world that is, the United States. On the other hand, William Bradford and his people began to realize the intentions of the Church of England were unholy and had strayed away from God’s teachings from the Bible. With this in mind, the Pilgrims set on a voyage to the new world to seek religious freedom. As we know it, the Pilgrims sought for peace and a new way of living that was fair, just and free from religious corruptions. While both settlers were met with Natives of the new land, each had two profound differences as to how they went about communicating and living with them.

In 1607, English Colonists set out on three ships and sailed up the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. They planned to establish the first permanent English settlement in North America. Many colonists died at early Jamestown. There were many reasons the English settlers died at early Jamestown, including their relationship with the local Native Americans, issues with the environment, and their skills.

Towards the end of the Middle Ages, the monarchy began to expand their power and influence, eventually becoming absolute rulers. Having support from the merchant class, the monarchy attempted to unify and stabilize the nation states. In the late seventeenth, early eighteenth centuries, with hopes of expanding English trade and acquiring a broader market for English manufactured goods, the nation states were wealthy enough to fund voyages of discovery and exploration. Over time, ten colonies were established along the Atlantic coast of North America. The first permanent English settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 and in 1620 a ship landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, marking it as the second permanent English settlement.

The colony of Jamestown was at a population of 504 after an arrival of a fleet of 9 ships carrying women, men, children and much needed food and supplies. Captain John Smith took hold of the chaotic government and put in place rigid policies of discipline and agricultural cultivation. In 1608 a gunpowder accident wounding Smith, his rivals used this opportunity to force him to return to England and name George Percy as his successor as president of the council. The day before John Smith’s departure, Captain Davis arrived with 16 other men adding to the population of Jamestown. However, a few weeks later, president Percy sent Captain Ratcliffe to build a fort for fishing and trade at Point Comfort. Captain Davis and his men were to join him, and name the place Fort Algernon.

Looking back to the 1500s, the English had been situating settlements in Ireland and used a familiar model in the New World. The early years of Jamestown were difficult for the settlers. The land was hot, humid, and mosquito-infested, and the settlers were mostly aristocrats and artisans that spent much of their time searching for gold. Those who didn’t die on the trip, died once they arrived from diseases and starvation. In 1607, about 3 ships-each holding more than 100 English passengers, arrived on the Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia. Settlers were excited, given that they would be the first permanent colony in the New World. Most settlers were in search for riches and others in search of a new home. Settlers ranged from the ages of 17 to 35 years old. The first years for the English settlers were harsh and devastating. By 1611, two-thirds of the settlement had died and all hope was lost for the settlers. The 3 main circumstances that caused a majority of English colonists at Jamestown to lose their lives were the environment, the social and religious conflicts with the Natives, and the lack of survival skills.

The colonists were not prepared for their new beginning. They had very little food and no ways to get food so most starved. Why? They brought no farmers to grow their food. They also couldn 't go out to hunt because of the Indians. In 1609, a group of men sailed up the Bay in an attempt to trade goods for grain. However, they betrayed the colonists by returning to England because they knew it wouldn 't be enough to get them through the winter. (Hume) There were also too many gentlemen. Out of the 110 men 47 of them were gentlemen. A gentlemen is a person of wealth who doesn 't work with there hands. (Smith) These men had no skills to assist with gathering any food. The Jamestown colonists planned poorly by not being able to obtain or grow food and by bringing to many gentlemen which was a big reason why a lot of the

The English had come more prepared and well aware of what they were stepping into, they brought provisions and supplies, even though they struggled. It was not until the Jamestown settlement was established in 1607, a full twenty years after John White bade farewell to his colonists, that the next serious attempts where undertaken by the English to find out what happened to the colony in 1587 (Fullam 128). In early 1609, the Royal Council in England received shocking news from Jamestown that Wahunsunacock, Chief Powhatan, had slaughter the 1587 colonist (Fullman 155). Unfortunately, the Powhatan’s cooperation was necessary for the success of the colony (Fullman 157). But 1608, a letter from John Smith was delivered to the Royal Council with evidence that the Powhatan Indians weren’t connected to the Lost Colony. Smith was a very talented leader, but that moment was one of his falls backs, like when his gunpowder mishap caused him to return England in 1609, but his absence demonstrated how important he really was to Jamestown. Following his departure, Jamestown nearly collapsed but when the shipwrecked Sea Venture arrived in May of 1610, Jamestown was back on their feet (Fullam

In 1603, the English were still a small rising nation, poorer than most, and less powerful than Spain and France. Although the British colonies settled in the Americas late, they quickly became a dominant force in the new world. After they acquired their first permanent settlement in Jamestown, VA in 1607, the British became attracted to greater power and more land, which was the first building block of perhaps the most powerful European nation of the time period. Due to their growth in the Americas, the British were able to be compared to the Spanish colonies of the time period, which boosted the English’s confidence. Along with their growth in confidence, came a new way of thinking. Many British men thought that they