What was Englands motivation in establishing Jamestown?

The founding of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony, in Virginia in 1607 – 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in Massachusetts – sparked a series of cultural encounters that helped shape the nation and the world.  The government, language, customs, beliefs and aspirations of these early Virginians are all part of the United States’ heritage today.

The colony was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors who hoped to profit from the venture.  Chartered in 1606 by King James I, the company also supported English national goals of counterbalancing the expansion of other European nations abroad, seeking a northwest passage to the Orient, and converting the Virginia Indians to the Anglican religion.

What was Englands motivation in establishing Jamestown?
The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, carrying 105 passengers, one of whom died during the voyage, departed from England in December 1606 and reached the Virginia coast in late April 1607.  The expedition was led by Captain Christopher Newport.  On May 13, after two weeks of exploration, the ships arrived at a site on the James River selected for its deep water anchorage and good defensive position. The passengers came ashore the next day, and work began on the settlement.  Initially, the colony was governed by a council of seven, with one member serving as president.

Serious problems soon emerged in the small English outpost, which was located in the midst of a chiefdom of about 14,000 Algonquian-speaking Indians ruled by the powerful leader Powhatan.  Relations with the Powhatan Indians were tenuous, although trading opportunities were established.  An unfamiliar climate, as well as brackish water supply and lack of food, conditions possibly aggravated by a prolonged drought, led to disease and death.  Many of the original colonists were upper-class Englishmen, and the colony lacked sufficient laborers and skilled farmers.

The first two English women arrived at Jamestown in 1608, and more came in subsequent years.  Men outnumbered women, however, for most of the 17th century.

Captain John Smith became the colony’s leader in September 1608 – the fourth in a succession of council presidents – and established a “no work, no food” policy.  Smith had been instrumental in trading with the Powhatan Indians for food.  However, in the fall of 1609 he was injured by burning gunpowder and left for England.  Smith never returned to Virginia, but promoted colonization of North America until his death in 1631 and published numerous accounts of the Virginia colony, providing invaluable material for historians.

Smith’s departure was followed by the “starving time,” a period of warfare between the colonists and Indians and the deaths of many English men and women from starvation and disease.  Just when the colonists decided to abandon Jamestown in Spring 1610, settlers with supplies arrived from England, eager to find wealth in Virginia.  This group of new settlers arrived under the second charter issued by King James I.  This charter provided for stronger leadership under a governor who served with a group of advisors, and the introduction of a period of military law that carried harsh punishments for those who did not obey.

In order to make a profit for the Virginia Company, settlers tried a number of small industries, including glassmaking, wood production, and pitch and tar and potash manufacture.  However, until the introduction of tobacco as a cash crop about 1613 by colonist John Rolfe, who later married Powhatan’s daughter Pocahontas, none of the colonists’ efforts to establish profitable enterprises were successful.  Tobacco cultivation required large amounts of land and labor and stimulated the rapid growth of the Virginia colony.  Settlers moved onto the lands occupied by the Powhatan Indians, and increased numbers of indentured servants came to Virginia.

The first documented Africans in Virginia arrived in 1619.  They were from the kingdom of Ndongo in Angola, west central Africa, and had been captured during war with the Portuguese.  While these first Africans may have been treated as indentured servants, the customary practice of owning Africans as slaves for life appeared by mid-century.  The number of African slaves increased significantly in the second half of the 17th century, replacing indentured servants as the primary source of labor.

The first representative government in British America began at Jamestown in 1619 with the convening of a general assembly, at the request of settlers who wanted input in the laws governing them.  After a series of events, including a 1622 war with the Powhatan Indians and misconduct among some of the Virginia Company leaders in England, the Virginia Company was dissolved by the king in 1624, and Virginia became a royal colony.  Jamestown continued as the center of Virginia’s political and social life until 1699 when the seat of government moved to Williamsburg.  Although Jamestown ceased to exist as a town by the mid 1700s, its legacies are embodied in today’s United States.

Watch a video about the economics of Jamestown:


Great Britain made its first tentative efforts to establish overseas settlements in the 16th century. Maritime expansion, driven by commercial ambitions and by competition with France, accelerated in the 17th century and resulted in the establishment of settlements in North America and the West Indies.

See also  how abiotic factors affect biotic factors

Why were English colonies more successful?

The British were ultimately more successful than the Dutch and French in colonizing North America because of sheer numbers. … The rulers back in Europe actually made it very difficult for French and Dutch settlers to obtain and manage land. They tended to be stuck on the old European model of feudal land management.

Where did England colonize in the New World?

After unsuccessful attempts to establish settlements in Newfoundland and at Roanoke, the famous “Lost Colony,” off the coast of present-day North Carolina, England established its first permanent North American settlement, Jamestown, in 1607.

What motivated Europeans to establish settlements in the New World what made it possible for them to undertake those settlements?

What motivated Europeans to establish settlements in the New World? What made it possible for them to undertake those settlements? Motivation included sickness and plague, overpopulation, spread of religion, and potential source of wealth from profits. … They also tried to force upon them the religion of Catholicism.

Why did it take England so long to colonize America?

While Spain squandered much of their colonies’ wealth, England grew wealthy from commerce and piracy, and its population doubled in a century. The failure to find a northwest passage to China made English exploration and colonization in North America a poor investment.

Why did the Europeans colonize America?

Colonial America (1492-1763) European nations came to the Americas to increase their wealth and broaden their influence over world affairs. … Many of the people who settled in the New World came to escape religious persecution. The Pilgrims, founders of Plymouth, Massachusetts, arrived in 1620.

Why do people colonize?

The motivations for the first wave of colonial expansion can be summed up as God, Gold, and Glory: God, because missionaries felt it was their moral duty to spread Christianity, and they believed a higher power would reward them for saving the souls of colonial subjects; gold, because colonizers would exploit resources …

What influenced the idea and growth of colonization in England?

What influenced the idea and growth of colonization in England? The arguments of Richard Hakluyt. … Joint-stock companies were formed for colonization.

What economic reasons prompted the English to establish colonies?

What were the reasons the English wanted to establish colonies in America? To market English exports, for a new source of raw material, to increase in trade to get more money, and to spread the protestant religion.

What did colonies bring to England?

The colonial economy depended on international trade. American ships carried products such as lumber, tobacco, rice, and dried fish to Britain. In turn, the mother country sent textiles, and manufactured goods back to America.

How did England become a superpower?

When the Thirteen Colonies became independent in the American War of Independence, the British Empire lost some of its oldest and most important colonies. … After defeating Napoleonic France in 1815, Britain became the world’s only superpower for more than a century.

Who encouraged English colonization?

Richard Hakluyt used this document to persuade Queen Elizabeth I to devote more money and energy into encouraging English colonization. In twenty-one chapters, summarized here, Hakluyt emphasized the many benefits that England would receive by creating colonies in the Americas.

See also  What Is A Generalist Species?

Why would the King of England want to expand his empire?

Britain had many reasons to want an empire. Economically, the rich natural resources available in Africa, Asia and the Pacific earned the country a lot of money as goods were imported and exported. Politically, it made Britain a very powerful country and allowed the spread of their influence across the world.

Why was England so successful?

The British Empire owed its success to many factors. One key to its success was its efficient taxation system. … Another factor in the success of the British Empire was the size and success of its navy. The British navy defended British trade and possessions all over the world.

Which motive do you think was the strongest for encouraging European exploration Why?

Which motive do you think was the strongest for encouraging European exploration? Why? To find riches because it would make them more well-known, money was associated with all motivations. What key advances in knowledge and technology allowed Europeans to explore these new areas?

Why did England want to establish colonies in North America?

England also looked at the settlement of colonies as a way of fulfilling its desire to sell more goods and resources to other countries than it bought. … At the same time, the colonists could be a market for England’s manufactured goods. The English knew that establishing colonies was an expensive and risky business.

When did England start exploring the New World?

1497
England’s forays into the New World began in 1497 (just a few years after Columbus’ initial voyage) with John Cabot’s journey to North America. British exploration of the New World centered on searching for a northwest passage through the continent.

See also  what ocean does the prime meridian cross the equator?

When did England start colonizing?

In the 16th century Britain began to establish overseas colonies. By 1783, Britain had built a large empire with colonies in America and the West Indies.

What are 3 reasons colonists came to America?

They came to the Americas to escape poverty, warfare, political turmoil, famine and disease. They believed colonial life offered new opportunities.

Why did the British colonized?

England had the most success of all the European countries colonizing other lands. King James I colonized Virginia in 1606. While England was also motivated by the route by sea and the riches of the New World, the country had different reasons for colonizing. Freedom of faith was a big motivation for the English.

Why did colonist fight the British?

The colonists fought the British because they wanted to be free from Britain. … The British forced colonists to allow British soldiers to sleep and eat in their homes. The colonists joined together to fight Britain and gain independence. They fought the War of Independence from 1775 to 1783.

Who was the first white child born in America?

Virginia Dare
Born Virginia Dare August 18, 1587 Roanoke Colony (present-day North Carolina)
Died unknown
Known for first English child born in the New World
Parents Ananias Dare (father) Eleanor White (mother)

Jamestown was intended to become the core of a long-term settlement effort, creating new wealth for the London investors and recreating English society in North America. The colonists arrived at Jamestown after a 4-month journey from London.

What were the three outstanding events in 1619 that had a great influence on the colonies?

What were the three outstanding events in 1619 that had a great influence on the colonies? Representative government came to America. The first slaves were brought to America. The London Company sent women to America.

Motivations for English colonization

what are 3 reasons for colonization?3 reasons for european explorationwhat were the reasons for the english colonization of america?what is colonizationwhy did europe colonize the worldreasons for colonization in americamap of european colonization in the new world

political reasons for colonization

See more articles in category: FAQ