Colonization

Colonization

Essay #1

Although New England and the Chesapeake regions were settled largely by people of English origin, by
1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. I have described both societies in an attempt to
demonstrate their developments.

Virginia Colony

In 1607 a group of merchants established England’s first permanent colony in North America at
Jamestown, Virginia. They operated as a joint-stock company that allowed them to sell shares of stock in
their company and use the pooled investment capital to outfit and supply overseas expeditions. This joint
stock company operated under a charter from James I with a concern for bringing Christian religion to the
native people. However, most of the settlers probably agreed with Captain John Smith that the real aim
was profit rather than religion.

Profits were elusive in the early years; expectations of gold and other minerals, trade with Indians for
beaver and deer skins were not to be had by the colonists. Many Virginia colonists died of dysentery,
malaria and malnutrition. The Virginia Company sent a diverse collection of people to Jamestown; there
were artists and glassmakers, as well as unskilled servants. Both types of people adapted poorly to the
wilderness conditions. Relations between the colonists and the Indians were bitter from the beginning.
John Smith dealt with the Indians by shows of force and the Indians withdrew trade with the English. ...

Colonization

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