Transformation of Colonial Virginia
DBQ 1: The Transformation of Colonial Virginia
During the time period between 1606 and 1700, hundreds of settlers flocked to the Virginia colony seeking riches only to find hardship, and no gold. However, after many years, and much effort, the Virginians managed to secure a solid social and economic system that would eventually make Virginia one of the most important North American colonies. One of the first hardships settlers encountered were disease, malnutrition, and starvation. When the settlers first arrived they wasted their valuable time searching for gold that was nowhere to be found, instead of getting accustomed to their new surroundings. The settlers were in such misery in an atmosphere that was foreign to them compared to ways of life they were used to in England. With the colony heading toward disaster, the colonists were luckily saved by Captain John Smith, who whipped the colonists into shape by forcing them to work or else they didn’t eat. His efforts were rewarded with his kidnapping by the Powhatan Native American tribe who desired a more peaceful than harmful relationship with the Virginians. Pocahontas, the tribe princess along with Smith who together helped the colonist survive their first couple of winters and acquire food. The colonists were beginning to need some source of money to help them with their development of Virginia. The ability to attain wealth from gold came to the realization of the settlers who knew they needed to find something else. John Rolfe soon came to the rescue when he developed methods of raising tobacco. Tobacco became in high demand in Europe and created a stable economy for Virginia. While bringing in profit for the Virginia colonist it also brought them long-lasting health problems. Regardless of its cons, tobacco advertisements contributed to the well-being of Virginia’s economy by demonstrating the value of the crop to Virginians. The large production fluctuated prices for a single crop causing planters to
During the time period between 1606 and 1700, hundreds of settlers flocked to the Virginia colony seeking riches only to find hardship, and no gold. However, after many years, and much effort, the Virginians managed to secure a solid social and economic system that would eventually make Virginia one of the most important North American colonies. One of the first hardships settlers encountered were disease, malnutrition, and starvation. When the settlers first arrived they wasted their valuable time searching for gold that was nowhere to be found, instead of getting accustomed to their new surroundings. The settlers were in such misery in an atmosphere that was foreign to them compared to ways of life they were used to in England. With the colony heading toward disaster, the colonists were luckily saved by Captain John Smith, who whipped the colonists into shape by forcing them to work or else they didn’t eat. His efforts were rewarded with his kidnapping by the Powhatan Native American tribe who desired a more peaceful than harmful relationship with the Virginians. Pocahontas, the tribe princess along with Smith who together helped the colonist survive their first couple of winters and acquire food. The colonists were beginning to need some source of money to help them with their development of Virginia. The ability to attain wealth from gold came to the realization of the settlers who knew they needed to find something else. John Rolfe soon came to the rescue when he developed methods of raising tobacco. Tobacco became in high demand in Europe and created a stable economy for Virginia. While bringing in profit for the Virginia colonist it also brought them long-lasting health problems. Regardless of its cons, tobacco advertisements contributed to the well-being of Virginia’s economy by demonstrating the value of the crop to Virginians. The large production fluctuated prices for a single crop causing planters to