Impact and Change New Innovations in Virginia By

Impact and Change New Innovations in Virginia By: Victoria Wan and Gabby Weiss

Journey to Virginia December 20 th, 1606 three ships departed from Brunswick Wharf, London. They started down from the Thames River in London to southern Virginia The three sailing ships, full of men on the way to Virginia were the subjects of King James I. ◦ Susan Constant ◦ God Speed ◦ Discovery

Dangers of Journey There were very rough winds on their way to Virginia. They were forced to drop the anchor for six weeks in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean Many people got sea sick and were anxious for more supplies. In April 10 th 1607 they departed into the Gulf Stream towards America, a harsh storm almost made them turn back to the Canary Islands, but forced them to go on to Virginia.

Virginia Company The Virginia Company was formed with a charter from King James I in 1606 The Company was a joint stock corporation charged with the settlement of Virginia When the company’s profited started to be weak. The leadership resorted to: ◦ ◦ Lotteries Search for gold Silkworm production Increase in Profit

Virginia Company The Virginia Company was finally revoked in 1624 Virginia became a crown colony The seal of the Virginia Company

Jamestown Jamestown was the first successful colony Established in 1607 Jamestown was named after King James I Jamestown was settled on the hunting grounds of the Paspahegh Indians Jamestown may be known as James Fort since it was a fort to protect from the Paspahegh Indians

Captain John Smith Elected President in September 10 th of 1608 John Smith brought order into Jamestown He nearly saved the whole town from hunger He made people plant crops because many starved Jamestown was more successful after he was elected

John Smith and Pocahontas John Smith visited many Indian villages and paraded with them When he came across the village of the Great Powhatan he was interrogated Captain was suppose to be clubbed to death by the Great Powhatan

Friendship and Peace Although Pocahontas; the Powhatan’s daughter saved Captain Smith’s life Her friendship with Captain John Smith made peace for a while between Jamestown and the Great Powhatan

Tobacco was known as brown gold Jamestown depended on supplies and funds from England because the colonists made several attempts to establish industries. Tobacco was a popular past time in Europe but the native tobacco that grew in Virginia was too harsh and bitter for English tastes. In 1612, Jamestown settler John Rolfe obtained some tobacco seeds from the Caribbean Islands and by experimenting, he created a more mild tobacco.

Tobacco Tobacco has dominated agriculture for nearly 3 centuries Many colonist believed that tobacco cured illnesses John Smith proved that tobacco was bad for the body in Virginia

Tobacco Sold to England In 1613, Jamestown sent their first shipment of the new tobacco to England. Two years later, the Jamestown colony exported 2, 300 pound of the tobacco. In 1617 the colony exported 20, 000 pounds of tobacco and two years after that, the export jumped to 45, 000 pounds. The tobacco plant finally made the colony self -supporting.

Tobacco and Slavery Slaves planted and harvested the tobacco crop, but tobacco shipping barrels; known as hogshead, delivered the tobacco crop to the inspections war. Slaves would work out on the tobacco plantation for a long amount of time. Many of the slaves worked on tobacco plantations

Headright System In 1618, the Headright system was introduced as a means to solve the labor shortage. Colonists were granted two Headrights, meaning two tracts of fifty acres each, or a total of 100 acres of land. New settlers who paid their own passage to Jamestown were granted one Headright. Families were encouraged to migrate together because every person who entered the colony received a Headright.

Development of a New Innovation Development of the Headright System Virginia had trouble with labor shortage and needed to resolve it During this time England had a wipeout of unemployment

Headright A Headright is a grant of land, usually fifty to one-hundred acres to a settler, given by certain colonies and companies in the 17 th and 18 th centuries.

Land Given to the Rich that paid to settle in America, they received land as their reward The rich were favored in this situation because there were so many indentured servants that had to serve to pay off the government for their way to get to Jamestown. The rich got a bigger proportion of the land compared to the indentured servants they had nothing.

Rich vs. Poor Rich were called the gentry meaning they were the top of society. The gentry included wealthy planters, merchants, and ministers, and the latest fashion of London. The poor were called indentured servants and did work like hired farmhands and slaves. There was not many of the higher class but there was thousands of men, woman, and children that came to North America as indentured servants

Indentured Servants People that could not pay for their passage to Virginia agreed to repay by working as a servant in Virginia. A worker looking for a new job in American were often indentured servants since, they couldn’t afford the passage to America Africans were also sold as indentured servants during the slave trade on their journey to Virginia.

Indentured Servents Indentured servants got: ◦ ◦ A passage to America New Job Provided food and shelter Better respect than slaves They usually worked until they paid off their debts or until the end of their service If the servant treats their master with respect they may go to court and were entitled their own land

Historical Significance The Headright system was a success to Virginia because it gave people ambition to work hard for land ownership. ◦ Like today, school tries to ambition people in school to work hard for a successful future. Many successful servants later became wellknown citizens ◦ Like Oprah Winfrey she was living in proverty but, now she is a well-known person.

Native American Slaves The settlers captured the naturals; which is know as the natives, and used them as slaves Many of Some of the slaves became skilled labors such as: ◦ ◦ Blacksmiths Shoemakers Unloading and loading the ships Making houses