Virginia (Jamestown) Colony

This page tells about the history of the Virginia Colony.

Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement

Virginia Colony and Jamestown

The Virginia Colony began with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America. The colony's early years were marked by disease, hunger, poor leadership, conflict and trade with the Powhatan peoples, and the struggle of settlers such as John Smith to keep Jamestown alive.

First Permanent English Settlement

Despite the failure of the Lost Colony at Roanoke, King James I remained eager to establish a permanent English settlement in North America. He granted charters to English companies to establish new colonies. One effort to establish a settlement in present-day Maine failed, while another group, the Virginia Company of London, sent settlers under the leadership of Captain Christopher Newport to Virginia. In 1607, the settlers established Jamestown on a peninsula along the James River.

Unfit for Life in the Wilderness

Jamestown's location offered protection from possible attacks by European rivals, but the swampy environment and poor water supply contributed to serious disease. The settlement also suffered from food shortages, weak leadership, and a population that included many men who were poorly prepared for wilderness survival. Some settlers had come hoping to find wealth quickly and were reluctant to spend their time growing food, building shelters, or performing other work necessary for the colony's survival. Disease, hunger, and internal conflict soon pushed Jamestown toward disaster.

John Smith and the Powhatan Peoples

Jamestown was established within the territory of the Powhatan chiefdom, a powerful alliance of Native communities led by Wahunsenacawh, commonly known to the English as Chief Powhatan. Relations between the English settlers and the Powhatan peoples included both trade and conflict. By the winter of 1607, only a fraction of the original settlers remained alive, and food shortages made conditions even worse. John Smith helped obtain corn and other food through trade with Native communities. During one expedition, Smith was captured by Powhatan warriors and taken before Powhatan. He was later released and returned to Jamestown, where his influence among the colonists increased.

Chief Powhatan

Smith Becomes President of the Jamestown Council

By 1608, Jamestown remained a desperate settlement facing serious leadership problems and continuing food shortages. John Smith had become controversial among some of the colony's leaders, but his experience and ability to organize the settlement made him increasingly important. Smith eventually became president of the Jamestown council and imposed stricter rules designed to ensure the colony's survival.

The Life-Force of Jamestown

For the next year, Smith attempted to impose discipline on Jamestown. He required settlers to work and contribute to the colony while continuing efforts to obtain food from nearby Native communities. Relations with the Powhatan peoples were complicated and often violent. Trade sometimes supplied Jamestown with desperately needed food, but Smith also used threats and military force when negotiations failed. Conflict between the colonists and Powhatan communities increased as the English settlement expanded and demanded additional supplies.

Captain John Smith

Continue to Virginia and Jamestown Colony - Part 2

Why it mattered: Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America and established the foundation for the growth of the Virginia Colony.

Jamestown Colony Articles and Activities

John Smith Biography
John Rolfe Biography
Christopher Newport Biography
Pocahontas Biography
Powhatan Nation
Jamestown Colony Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Questions - Part 1 Printable
Jamestown Colony Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Questions - Part 2 Printable
Jamestown Colony Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Questions - Part 3 Printable
Jamestown Colony Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Questions - Part 1 Online
House of Burgesses Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Questions - Printable
House of Burgesses Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Questions - Online
Jamestown Colony Correct-Me Passage - Find and correct incorrect facts about Jamestown with immediate feedback.
Jamestown Colony Sentence Surgeons - Correct grammar and spelling errors in sentences about Jamestown.
Virginia State Quarter Coloring Sheet - 400th Anniversary of Jamestown

13 Colonies Navigation

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