Jamestown: The Cornerstone of America Russel Mendes Historical Paper Senior Division 2,251 Words
Jamestown was the cornerstone of the United States of America. Thanks to the survival of the colony, the British established their first foothold in the Americas, after lagging behind the Spaniards. Created by the Virginia Company, Jamestown faced countless dangers, such as famine, disease, and hostilities, just to survive in the early 17 century. Jamestown was an important capitalist venture by the Virginia Company as it was an exploratory investment of the New World. The success and survival of the first colony was achieved through the encounters and exchanges with Powhatan Indians, leading to the birth of a new nation. In June of 1606, King James I granted a charter to a group of London entrepreneurs, the Virginia 1 Company, to establish an English settlement in the Chesapeake region of North America. The goal of the Virginia Company was to find gold and a Pacific water route. In December, of that year, 104 set sail to the New World. The new settlers set sail on the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Godspeed by Captain Christopher Newport. They were given the job to build a secure settlement and make the venture profitable. On May 14, 1607, the settlers settled 60 miles away from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Jamestown Island. They quickly made a triangular fort to protect themselves from the Spanish and the Indians. It contained a storehouse, a church, and numerous houses. Despite a smooth start, the situation for the colonists quickly went south. In their location, Jamestown fell victim to a countless number of diseases. This was due to famine 2 and as George Percy wrote, full of slime and filth,. Without access to a clean water, many people fell victim to salt poisoning, dysentery, and typhoid. Without proper nutrition, many acquired scurvie and 3 the bloody flix. These diseases ravaged the colony and weakened the colony. In one year alone two 1 "History of Jamestown."tt." Historic Jamestowne. 2 "History of Jamestown." History Is Fun 3 Frethorne, Richard. "Letter from Richard Frethorne to His Parents
4 third[s] of the 150 dead already. To rub salt in their wound, in their first year their fort almost burned down. Luckily, John Smith became the leader and turned the colony around with his new policies. The colony struggled the moment the settlers arrived is because of a labor problem. A little over 5 a third of the Jamestown settlers were gentlemen. These gentlemen were ex soldiers that were provided for by society. The rest of the settlers were comprised of artisans, blacksmiths, tailors, masons bricklayers, carpenters, a tailor, a barbers, and surgeons. Any remaining settlers were untrained seamen and young boys. Among the settlers, there was no one specialized in agriculture. Without any skilled farmers, unskilled workers tried to farm the land but only yielded very little. This is because they only applied minimal effort in planting. The reason for the lack of preparations is because the settlers believed 6 that the natives would share the abundance of the New World with the English. Since this did not happen the settlers most notably Captain John Martin wanted to exploit the natives by slavery. However these thoughts never reached fruition and the settlers had to start trading with the natives to survive. Before the Jamestown was created the land of the Chesapeake, over 14,000 Natives Americans 7 from 30 tribes resided in the area. These 30 tribes were ruled by Chief Powhatan and his tribe. The tribes swore loyalty to him to receive protection. Under this peace, major Indian trade networks were established. Over half of the native s diet consists of corn, beans, and squash, the rest came from hunted game. When the Jamestown settlers first arrived, some of the tribes tried to attack them. In response to this, the settlers gave warning shots and set up camp. The relations between the two people were highly strained until the settlers tried to open trade relations. 4 Frethorne, Richard. "Letter from Richard Frethorne to His Parents 5 "History of Jamestown." History Is Fun. 6 Jamestown." The Jamestown Lectures 2006 2007 7 "Pocahontas and the Powhatans of Virginia." Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center.
Early attempts of communications often lead to native hostility. During the winter of 1607 John Smith trade between two groups of people were difficult, as the natives were an Algonquian speaking 8 people compared to the English speaking settlers. This clash of languages allowed the opposing cultures to learn from each other. John Smith gave a local chief, Chief Wahunsonancock, a settler, thirteen year 9 old Thomas Savage as a goodwill offering in order to learn the language. Following suit Chief 10 Wahunsonancock gave his servant Namontack to Smith. Once the major language barriers were destroyed, the two parties traded. The Europeans mainly traded for foodstuffs and furs while as the 11 natives traded for metal tools, European copper, European glass beads, and trinkets. As time drew on the Europeans heavily depended on the trade in order to survive the winter. Despite trad ing heavily for foodstuffs, the settlers did struggle. During his time as leader John Smith implemented his famous quote; He that will not work shall 12 not eat. This rule was implemented because the colony faced a crisis. The majority of the settlers did not know anything about agriculture and those who tried were extremely lazy. With this rule, it was mandatory for the settlers to work for the betterment of the colony. Under his leadership, Smith tried his best to achieve good relations with the Native Americans, most notably the Powhatan Indians. This lead to trade between the two factions. With the food coming from the trade and the hard labor of the settlers, the settlement looked the best it ever had. Despite his resounding success, John Smith s policies made some enemies in the colony. In the fall of 1609, John Smith was grievously injured by a mysterious 13 gunpowder explosion. Due to his injuries, John Smith had to return to England and resign his position as leader of the colony. 8 "Pocahontas and the Powhatans of Virginia." Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center. 9 "Jamestown." The Jamestown Lectures 2006 2007 10 "Jamestown." The Jamestown Lectures 2006 2007 11 "Pocahontas and the Powhatans of Virginia." 12 "History of Jamestown." History Is Fun 13
The role of leader was then inherited by Sir Thomas Gates and he was immediately sent to Jamestown. Unfortunately for the settlers, a series of storms and accidents delayed his coming. The winter without John Smith was most widely remembered as the Starving Time, where a famine struck the colony and over 100 settlers died. To survive this horrible time the settlers tried to trade with the natives for food. Sadly, for both parties that year s harvest was very poor. This caused no trade to take place. Desperate for food the settlers conducted a series of raids against Native American storehouses. This had angered Chief Powhatan and ordered a retaliation against the settlers. After a winter long siege, only 60 settlers survived. From this point, bitter tensions arose between the two factions. Both sides committed 14 acts of unspeakable brutality. The Native Americans riddled the unsuspecting colonists with arrows and the settlers retaliated by taking the children of defeated tribes were drowned in the James 15 River. When all hope was lost, a supply ship from England came filled with eager men and supplies. It also included an interim leader named Lord Dela Ware. Under his leadership, the colony survived its near encounter with death. Another factor to meager survival was during the year 1619. In this year, a boat full of women were sent to become brides of the Jamestown settlers, and negro slaves sent to work in the colony. The slaves were the Kimbundu speaking peoples from the kingdom of Ndongo some were 16 from heavily populated area in Angola. These slaves were then exposed to European languages, 17 trade items, clothing, and customs. Before the slaves even stepped foot on Jamestown soil there were baptized in the name of Christianity. This encounter with the European culture allowed the slaves to be familiar to the culture in the settlement. The African culture would later then intermingle with the European culture and create a unique culture, borrowing aspects from each culture. 14 War and Peace with Powhatan's People." 15 "War and Peace with Powhatan's People." 16 CULTURES AT JAMESTOWN 17 CULTURES AT JAMESTOWN
The reason for the continued support from the Virginia Company is because of John Rolfe. Prior to his settlement in Jamestown, the colonists tried to make the venture profitable such as silk making, 18 glassmaking, lumber, sassafras, pitch and tar, and soap ashes. After exhausting all their ideas the 19 colonists decide to experiment with tobacco. The local tobacco plants were very bitter and were not valuable. Instead of giving up, John Rolfe went to the Caribbean and searched for a crop. In his expedition he found a tobacco crop and, along with his companions, smoked the leaf and agreed that it 20 smoked pleasant, sweete and strong. John Rolfe then took the tobacco seeds back to the colony and 21 started cultivating them. The crop was widely successful and was compared to Spain s Spanish leaf. The crop success marks the turning point in the Jamestown settlement. Without the encounter of the tobacco crop from the Caribbean, the settlement might have lost support from the Virginia Company. At the same time, John Smith explored a the Chesapeake area and an area that would be later known as New England. When the colony was surviving more easily, the Virginia Company told John Smith to explore the area. He then embarked on two lengthy voyages, investigating 2,500 miles of 22 territory. On his voyages, John Smith drew extremely accurate maps. These maps were one of Smith s 23 greatest accomplishments and was instrumental for later explorers. The goals for Smith s voyage was to find a Pacific Ocean water route and areas rich with valuable resources, such as gold. He was unsuccessful on both goals, instead, he heavily mapped New England. John Smith wanted to establish a colony in New England. 24 Sadly, his effort was thwarted when he was kidnapped by French Pirates on his return voyage to England in 1615. Upon his escape, John Smith gave up and started to write an autobiography. Despite his failure in establishing a colony in New England the Pilgrims took up his torch. 18 19 20 "History of Jamestown." Historic Jamestowne 21 22 Szalay, By Jessie. "John Smith of Jamestown: Facts & Biography 23 Szalay, By Jessie. "John Smith of Jamestown: Facts & Biography 24 Szalay, By Jessie. "John Smith of Jamestown: Facts & Biography
The Pilgrims used John Smith's maps to help them navigate New England and was instrumental in their survival. Despite the financial success brought on from tobacco, relations between the Powhatan Indians and the Jamestown settlers were very strained. The stepping stone between the two factions was Pocahontas. Pocahontas was the favorite daughter of Chief Powhatan and her desires were often fulfilled. When Pocahontas was a little girl she tried to help the colonists. The most well known incident of Pocahontas helping the colonists is when she saved John Smith from being clubbed. When Pocahontas pled for John Smith s life, Chief Powhatan spared him and, in turn, allowed the survival of the colony. As time drew on, Pocahontas got married to another Native American, Kocoum. In 1613, when Pocahontas 25 was searching for corn to feed the colonists, Samuel Argall kidnapped her for ransom. When Chief Powhatan was informed of his daughter's kidnapping he tried to ransom her back. Despite her being his favorite daughter, the transaction never took place. However, Chief Powhatan did agree to keep peace with the settlers for the well being of Pocahontas. Without this kidnapping, Jamestown s growth would ve hindered by the Native American attacks. 26 In settlers custody, Pocahontas was considered a heathen. Despite his views on her, John Rolfe volunteered to marry Pocahontas. In his custody, Pocahontas was forced to encounter the European culture and assimilate into it. She was baptized by Reverend Alexander Whitaker and given the name Rebecca. She learned the ways of the white man such as religion, language, and culture. In this exchange of culture, Pocahontas became an average white man s wife. She was so versed in their culture that she even bore John Rolfe a son, Thomas Rolfe. In 1616, John Rolfe and Rebecca went to England to drum up support for the colony. However, she will never see her homeland again. In March 1617, Rebecca became ill and died at Gravesend, England. 25 "Pocahontas and the Powhatans of Virginia 26
Rebecca s death placed a strain between the Native Americans and the settlers. Chief Powhatan died soon after and his brother, Opechancanough, took command. His brother didn t want peace with the settlers, so Opechancanough prepared an attack on the settlement. In 1622, Opechancanough ordered a surprise attack on the settlement. A large percentage of the Jamestown settlement died, more than 300 27 settlers were killed. Luckily, a last minute warning spared James Fort itself and the settlers were able 28 to hold back the Native Americans. Due to mismanagement of the colony by the Virginia Company convinced the King to revoke the Company s charter. colony. 29 In 1624, the Jamestown became a crown Under the England s rule, the colony prospered. With the new leadership, the settlement was able to fight back against the Native Americans. Tobacco was the cash crop that held the colony up and was the foundation of many other settlements. Jamestown served as the capital of Virginia until it was replaced by Williamsburg in 1699. It was later used as an important military base during the Revolutionary War to protect the mainland from possible British navy attacks. This base was also used during the Civil War; used as a defense to protect from a possible Confederate naval base. Without this base, the history of America and its sphere of influence might have changed. Jamestown was the cornerstone of the United States of America. Thanks to tobacco, the colony established their first foothold in the Americas. Jamestown faced many hardships, such as famine, disease, and hostilities. The encounters and exchanges with the Powhatan Indians allowed the success and survival of the first colony. The exchange in cultures in Jamestown allowed the spread of Christianity and the destruction of the Native American way of life. In pursuit of wealth, the area around the Chesapeake was heavily documented and explored to the fullest extent. Without the accomplishments of Jamestown, 27 28 29
the history of the Americas would have taken a different path. Without its struggles, and history, the United States might not be the capitalist superpower it is today. Annotated Bibliography Primary Source Frethorne, Richard. "Letter from Richard Frethorne to His Parents (March 20, April 2 3, 1623)." Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2015. This letter by Richard Frethorne is one of the few first person accounts from a servant of life in Jamestown. I used this article to place myself in the settlers shoes and familiarize with the problems that plagued the settlement Smith, John. "Chapter 1 Book 3 of The Generall Historie of Virginia." Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2015. This book was written by John Smith himself. He was the former leader and explorer for the Jamestown settlement. This book helped me understand what problems and struggles that he faced during his time as leader. Smith, John. "The Generall Historie of Virginia." 4 (1624): 291 407. American Journeys. Web. 27 Sept. 2015. This book was the fourth book written by John Smith. This article outlined what happened near the latter part of his leaderships and his successor Thomas Gates. I used this book to find the relationship between the natives and the settlers. Secondary Source "Captain John Smith." Captain John Smith. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This article describes John Smith s escapades of being an explorer. I used this article to help me create a basis of what John Smith had achieved. CULTURES AT JAMESTOWN (n.d.): n. pag. A History of Jamestown. Jamestown Yorktown Foundation. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This article described the culture and mindset of the colony. From the gold hungry European to the slaves from Africa. I used this article to help understand the exchange of culture that had occurred in the settlement. "Jamestown." The Jamestown Lectures 2006 2007 : The Rule of Law (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. This article describes the life and rules the settlers the Jamestown settlers had to follow. I used this to help me understand why somes rules were enacted to help the colony to survive. "History of Jamestown." History Is Fun. Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
This article described how the Jamestown was created and economics of the area. The facts about economics and trades in the colony helped me understand what was the barriers that impeded the relation between the natives and the settlers. "History of Jamestown." Historic Jamestowne. Historic Jamestowne, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This article gave me a general and widespread understanding of Jamestown. I used this website to create a skeleton outline of my project. Jamestown Colony." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This article gave me the general history and run down of Jamestown. I used this website to spiderweb out and research specific points the article mentioned. "Jamestown." The Jamestown Lectures 2006 2007 : The Rule of Law (n.d.): n. pag. Life at Jamestown. Jamestown Yorktown Foundation. Web. 12 Dec. 2015. Your Use Of The Jstor Archive Indicates Your Acceptance Of Jstor's Terms And Conditions Of Use, Available At. The Labor Problem at Jamestown, 1607 18 Author(s): Edmund S. Morgan Source: The American Historical Review, Vol. 76, No. 3 (Jun., 1971), Pp. 595 611 (n.d.): n. pag. American Historical Association. JSTOR. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This essay by Edmund Morgan delved deep into the problem that faced the Jamestown settlers and their relationship with native americans. I used this essay to describe the exchanges and encounters between the native americans and Jamestown settlers in my project. Joy, Mark, Prof. "Jamestown Thesis." Telephone interview. 13 Dec. 2015. This interview allowed to plan and revise my entire entire project. He reviewed my thesis, gave information, and he pointed me into the correct direction with my project. McCartney, Martha. "Sir Thomas Gates." Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This article described the leadership in Jamestown. This information allowed me to understand the results of the leadership during early Jamestown. "Pocahontas and the Powhatans of Virginia." Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center. Jamestown Yorktown Foundation,, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2015. This article described the culture and ideology of the native americans that had encountered the Jamestown settlers. This allowed me to describe the encounters and exchanges between the two faction in my project. Szalay, By Jessie. "John Smith of Jamestown: Facts & Biography." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 01 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Jan. 2016. This article describes John Smith s achievements in exploring the Chesapeake area. I used his achievements to describe how Jamestown explored the new world. "War and Peace with Powhatan's People." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
This article describes the relationship between the Powhatan Indians and the Jamestown settlers. This article allowed to place what exchanges took between the two faction is my paper.