Overview
This lecture examines the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, highlighting the immense hardships faced by the colonists, key individuals involved, and the factors that led to the colony's survival.
The Journey and Early Expectations
- In 1606, 108 Englishmen sailed to Virginia seeking gold and a new life but faced unexpected dangers.
- The expedition was backed by the Virginia Company, whose goal was to find gold and a route to the East.
Hardships in the New World
- More than half the settlers died within four months from disease, hunger, and conflict.
- The colonists were unprepared, divided by social class, and lacked practical skills.
- They expected Native Americans ("Indians") to provide food, but relationships were hostile.
- The fort was built in 19 days for defense against threats from both Native Americans and Spaniards.
Violence, Illness, and Survival
- Many colonists died from malnutrition, contaminated water (saltwater poisoning), diseases, and Indian attacks.
- The settlers ate horses, pets, snakes, and possibly resorted to cannibalism during starvation periods.
- Skeletons and artifacts reveal high mortality rates and desperate living conditions.
Key Figures and Leadership
- Captain John Smith emerged as a leader, negotiating with Native Americans for food and survival.
- Smith's injury (possibly sabotage) forced him to return to England, after which the colony suffered even more.
- Bartholomew Gosnold played a crucial but often overlooked leadership role and helped found the colony.
Relations with Native Americans and Spain
- The colony was surrounded by 13,000 Powhatan confederacy natives, led by Chief Powhatan.
- Smith relied on diplomacy and trade; Pocahontas, Powhatan’s daughter, played a role in assisting the colony.
- Fears of Spanish attack and possible conspiracy (sabotage or Spanish spies) added to the colonists’ paranoia and difficulties.
Archaeological Insights
- Archaeologists have unearthed hundreds of thousands of artifacts and human remains revealing causes of death and medical practices.
- Forensic analysis has identified notable individuals and provided evidence of surgeries and burials reflecting the period’s challenges.
Colony’s Legacy
- Jamestown ultimately survived due to strong-willed leaders, aid from supply ships, and the eventual success of tobacco as a cash crop.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Virginia Company — Joint-stock company funding the Jamestown expedition.
- Saltwater poisoning — Illness from drinking brackish water, causing dehydration and hallucinations.
- Starving Time — Winter of 1609-1610 when food ran out and many colonists died.
- Powhatan Confederacy — Alliance of Native American tribes surrounding Jamestown.
- Tobacco — Crop that became Jamestown’s economic foundation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the role of leadership and class divisions in the survival of early colonies.
- Study how relations with Native Americans shaped the colony’s fate.
- Read about other early colonial settlements for comparison.