Virginia
- Year Founded: 1607
- Founded by: John Smith and John Rolfe of the Virginia Company of London
- Motivation: The Virginia Company of London was looking for profit and a Northwest Passage.
- Government: Virginia House of Burgesses Representative Government ; Set up the Virginia House of Burgesses, which was actually the first example of self-government shown in history. The Burgesses were representatives which played a role in the government. The colony had laws which kept them under control and kept order between the people ; Virginia later turned into a Royal Colony by 1624
- Industry & Economy: Did not succeed at first and went through harsh starving times. A lot of the people died, but later, tobacco saved Jamestown as they grew lots of it and used it as a cash crop ; Fertile Land, Good Climate
- Jamestown: Jamestown came to make a profit by hopefully finding gold, as well as attempting to find the Northwest Passage. Jamestown was the first successful settlement in the Americas
- Note: Bacon’s Rebellion- Native Americans are angry that colonists are encroaching on land. Colonists want government to fix all these skirmishes but the governor was blind to eat as he was only worried about profit.
- Religious Aspiration: Law mandated Virginians worship in the Anglican Church ; Church supported by tax dollars ; Line between religious and civil authority blurred ; Struggle for religious freedom paralleled struggle for political independence ; Virginians not tolerant of non-Christian religions ; White women were primary guardians of family religious life
- Geography: The Southern colonies were the warmest of the three regions, winters not difficult to survive, but the hot and humid summers gave rise to the spread of disease. The warm climate made it possible to grow crops throughout the year and was ideally suited for plantations.
- Celebrities: George Washington ; Robert E Lee ; Thomas Jefferson ; James Madison ; Jason Mraz
- Target Residents: The main target were Anglicans, but the great profit made off of tobacco and the great warm climate of the Southern colonies also made people want to come and settle in the Virginia Colony.
Analysis of why colony was founded and how this affected who moved to the colony:
The Virginia Company of London traveled to the New World in order for a successful profit like the Spanish. They brought instruments to detect gold and make profit and had ideas to find a passage- the Northwest passage. Several gentleman embarked on the trip hoping to be rich. Because of the lack of preparation, the colony was first unsuccessful with starving times, but soon with the introduction of tobacco- it prospered. The people living in the colony would grow rich with the profit and would draw in others.
Analysis of government, geography, economy, and religion.
Virginia was a huge leader in democracy and self-government, expanding greatly by founding the Virginia House of Burgesses. Overall, Virginia was very hot and caused an easy spread for disease, but the soil was moist and adapted for farming lifestyle. The major industry was tobacco, staring with Jamestown and growing to become the main export. Religion wise, Virginia did not believe in freedom of religion, and didn't support any non Christian religions. While staying very strict, Virginia became one of the first successful colonies.
The Virginia Company of London traveled to the New World in order for a successful profit like the Spanish. They brought instruments to detect gold and make profit and had ideas to find a passage- the Northwest passage. Several gentleman embarked on the trip hoping to be rich. Because of the lack of preparation, the colony was first unsuccessful with starving times, but soon with the introduction of tobacco- it prospered. The people living in the colony would grow rich with the profit and would draw in others.
Analysis of government, geography, economy, and religion.
Virginia was a huge leader in democracy and self-government, expanding greatly by founding the Virginia House of Burgesses. Overall, Virginia was very hot and caused an easy spread for disease, but the soil was moist and adapted for farming lifestyle. The major industry was tobacco, staring with Jamestown and growing to become the main export. Religion wise, Virginia did not believe in freedom of religion, and didn't support any non Christian religions. While staying very strict, Virginia became one of the first successful colonies.