Jamestown

400 years ago, in 1607, a group of English gentlemen (yes, they were all men, plus four boys) set forth from Europe to found a new colony. Over 100 years had passed since Columbus sailed as a representative of Spain. Since Columbus' voyage, England had defeated the mighty Spanish Armada in 1588, and had become the greatest power in Europe. England's King James I was as interested in both gold and a sea route to China as Columbus had been. But by 1607, Europeans realized that there was land of some size blocking their westward path to Asia. King James decided that England should start a colony in the New World. This colony could be a base from which to explore further, looking for gold and for a sea route to China.

Virtual Jamestown, Virginia Center for Digital History, University of Virginia

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As usual for the time, the voyage across the Atlantic was filled with difficulties. After a stop in the West Indies, the colonists found their way to what is now called Chesapeake Bay and from there made their way to an area where it seemed they could build both houses and a fort, and defend themselves from possible enemies. They called their settlement Jamestown, in honor of their king.

(from National Geographic)

An earlier English settlement nearby, in Roanoke, had ended in disaster. None of the settlers had survived. The English would have more luck in Jamestown, but just barely. Their relationship with the neighboring people, the Powhatans, would start as one of cooperation, but there would eventually be conflict as well. Many of the colonists would die from disease. A lack of rain also caused problems. The years from 1607-1609 became known as the Starving Time, as 4 out of every 5 settlers died. Most of the original settlers had not been working people in England, and had trouble doing the hard work required to farm the land. The native people were not interested in working for the white men. By 1619, when tobacco became the biggest money-making crop in Jamestown, the first African slaves had been brought to the New World to do the work that no one else wanted to do.

Yes, the early years in Jamestown were difficult. But Jamestown was also the place where English colonists established laws to govern themselves. Before Jamestown, the ruling country generally made all the rules; the colonists had little if any say.

The story of Jamestown is a story of tragedy and survival. Like any good story, it has some colorful characters including the explorer and adventurer John Smith and the Powhatan maiden Pocahontas, who would end her eventful life a famous figure in London, England.

From here you can begin your exploration of Jamestown. Read more about the early settlers. Study a list of the jobs that the early settlers did. Read some of their own letters. Learn what archeologists are finding today. Play an interactive game from National Geographic or History Globe. Look at Jamestown postage stamps. Watch some one-minute videos. Be thankful that your adventure is safer than that of the Jamestown settlers. Or maybe you're the sort of person who wishes they could have been there in 1607!

Here is the link to all the Jamestown websites that will power your journey!