Background
In 1606, wealthy businessmen petitioned King James I for a charter to establish a colony in the New World. To accomplish this, the Virginia Company was formed and plans to form a permanent English settlement began. Because of its competition with Spain, England was eager to discover trade, resources, and routes that might acquire more wealth. In 1607, 104 men arrived in the Chesapeake Bay from England and established the first permanent English settlement. Jamestown was established along the James River. John Smith and other colonists founded the Virginia Colony and were supported by the London Company. Seventeen years after its establishment, Virginia became a Royal Colony. Virginia's warm and humid climate proved suitable for growing crops, and its winters were easily survivable; it was located on the southern Atlantic coastline. The mountains, valleys, and coastal plain promised natural resources, such as fish, timber, and potential agricultural land, necessary for survival.
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People
Captain John Smith was an explorer, mapmaker, and soldier. He is well known for his interactions with Pocahontas and her people during the time of discovery and founding of Virginia. Sir Thomas Dale was an English naval commander in Virginia. The two men had worked together and helped to create a stable living condition in Virginia for the Native people and the new settlers in the New World.
Religious Affiliations & Implications
English colonist's brought traditional religious techniques from England to Virginia. The law in 1624 required that white Virginians worship in the Church of England and support it with taxes. Though religion was integral to every day life, there wasn't much of a separation between the church and state. Gentlemen particularly disliked church authority, and this led to their control in country courts, potentially evening the playing field.
Although Anglicans were tolerant to Protestant beliefs, they were against the beliefs of Native Americans and Africans. English colonists barely attempted to bring them into the church. The Powhatans were completely resistant to the church. Africans were stripped of their world view because of slavery, but still did not largely adopt Christianity until evangelists began converts.
Although Anglicans were tolerant to Protestant beliefs, they were against the beliefs of Native Americans and Africans. English colonists barely attempted to bring them into the church. The Powhatans were completely resistant to the church. Africans were stripped of their world view because of slavery, but still did not largely adopt Christianity until evangelists began converts.
Economics
Fish, timber, slaves, cotton, rice, fur, and tobacco were all components that added to the economy boom of Virginia.
Primary Source
Captain John Smith, the captain on the voyage to Virginia, unambiguously writes to the people that he left in his home town, in order to tell about the journey to the New World that was Virginia for him and to describe his encounters with the people of the already occupied land.
Modern Connections
Virginia is similar to the United States today due to its still standing plantations and settlements that play part in the historical admiration of the past compared to today.