Jamestown Virtual Colony

UNIT OUTLINE


Broader Themes
of Jamestown

[ Lesson Plans ] [ Unit Objectives ] [ Annotated Bibliography ]
[ Teaching About Jamestown Main Page ] [ Jamestown Virtual Colony Main Page ]

I. Jamestown's Place Within the Colonial System

  1. Colonial Geography
    1. National Powers Colonizing in the New World
      1. France, Spain, England
      2. Motives for colonizing-how were motives different for these three nations?
      3. How were these motives reflected in the character of the initial settlements?
    2. Place of Settlement in New World
      1. Where did these nations choose to settle? Why?
      2. Why did settlement patterns leave the American interior to the French and the perimeter to the British?
      3. What was to be gained from the choice of settlement?
        • Habitable area, natural resources, opportunity for development, accessibilty,conversion of savages(?)
      4. How did expectations match with the realities of colonial development?
      5. Noticeable patterns in colonization
        • Use maps covering North and Central America and Carribean

  2. Comparison of the Jamestown and Plymouth Colonies
    1. Motivations for Colonization.
      • How was the basis for founding of these two colonies different?
      1. Jamestown
        • Patriotism for Mother Country, prevent Spanish from gaining foothold in North America
        • Economic Benefit, investors seeking profit
      2. Plymouth
        • Religious Freedom
        • Puritans, desire to escape religious persecution in England
    2. Founding of Colony
      1. Jamestown
        • Group Leadership; founded by London Company
        • All single young men (originally)
        • Characterized by gentlemen whose expectations did not include hard work
      2. Plymouth
        • Group Leadership as well; led by Puritans and the Mayflower Compact
        • Characterized by families; tight-knit units
        • Voyage sponsored by merchant company
    3. Effects of Environment
      1. Jamestown
        • Disease caused 80% of colonists to die
        • ability to grow tobacco made land especially valuable, causing a significant population growth
      2. Plymouth
        • Crops grown on individual, family basis
        • Effects of first winter; many colonists died
    4. Interaction With Natives
      1. Jamestown
        • Ultimately failed in attempts to befriend natives
        • Interaction was mutually destructive
        • Role of Pocahontas
      2. Plymouth
        • Several minor conflicts followed by successful diplomacy
        • Role of Squanto; taught Pilgrims to grow; known as the first Thanksgiving
        • eventually traded with the Wampanoag Indians; extended trade with Indians along Northern coast
    5. Comparing and Contrasting the Two
      • How did the religious character of the two groups influence the development of a colony? Was rigid religious life a benefit to governing a colony?
      • Was its role as a Royal Colony a benefit to Jamestown? How did this provide for a different development than Plymouth?
      • Did the crown of England look upon the colonies differently?
      • Was one colony ultimately "more successful" than the other?

  3. Comparison of the Jamestown and St. Augustine Colonies
    1. Motivations for Colonization
      1. Jamestown
        • Economic Entrepreneur, English patriotism
        • single men wanted to make money and return to England
        • Unemployment rampant in England; wool market falling rapidly
        • adventurers wanted to carve out English holdings in North America
      2. St. Augustine
        • Colonization of Florida mandated by King Phillip II of Spain to protect colonies which were already establsihed
        • Military outpost, meant to protect colonies in the West Indies from French Pirates
        • Explorers motivated by opportunity to earn titles and money from Spanish government
    2. Founding of Colony
      1. Jamestown
        • founded by London Co.; private enterprise
        • council appointed by English King to lead colony
        • not established until 1607; English did not have sufficient interest or ability to do so until then
      2. St. Augustine
        • founded by Pedrode Menendez in 1565
        • Menendez contracted by king; well-supplied to build a colony
        • Menendez appointed himself governor and captain-general
    3. Effects of Environment on Success of Colonies
      1. Jamestown
        • Disease killed 80% of colonists
        • Many colonists drank contaminated food and water
      2. St. Augustine
        • Difficult to expand colony; hot climate, mosquitoes, disease
        • covered with oaks, pines, and palmettos; made farming and raising livestock very difficult
    4. Interaction with Natives
      1. Jamestown
        • Lack of work ethic made colonists dependent upon Indians for food
        • relations peaceful at first, then deteriorated; settlers often killed natives and burned their crops
        • military eventually vanquished natives and forced them off of land
      2. St. Augustine
        • Many Indians (Timucuan Tribe) welcomed Spanish settlers
        • Menendez cooperated successfully with Indian tribal leaders
        • Spanish attempted to convert natives to Christianity
        • Intermingling, cultural mixing; Spanish often occupied Indian villages

  4. The Colonization of the Americas
    1. Beginnings
      1. Christopher Columbus, 1492; explosion of explorations in New World
      2. Spanish character of early exploration; De Soto, Cortez, Coronado, Ponce de Leon
          Spanish focus on Carribean and Latin America, founded St. Augustine in 1565.
      3. Competition from English; Cabot explores East Coast in 1497, English do not continue exploration until late 16th century
      4. Jacques Cartier; unable to establish permanent settlement
          Precursor for further French interest in North America
    2. Significance of Jamestown
      1. English colony; more closely affiliated with the royal crown
      2. established beachhead for English expansion in North America
      3. wanted to prevent Spain from gaining prominence in North America
      4. Role of Jamestown in the development of slave trade
    3. Competition for North America
      1. What nations were contenders in this race?
      2. Was there are a "winner" in this race? When did this become apparent?
      3. How did this competition influence the relationship between these nations?
      4. What role did the sinking of the Spanish Armada in 1588 play in this competition?
      5. How were the goals of the competing nations similar? How were they different?

  5. Comparison of English Colonization in America (Jamestown) with English Colonization in India (Bengal)
    1. Motives for Colonizing
      1. Both
        • Economic gain; both characterized by a desire for profit
    2. Founding
      1. Jamestown
        • London Company; private enterprise
        • authorized by British government
      2. Bengal
        • East India Company; connected to British government
        • Established trading ports
        • Indian economy already in place; British had to work within an established economic system
    3. Interaction with Natives
      1. Jamestown
        • Attempts at trade and making Indians into slaves failed
        • most Indians pushed off of land or wiped out by disease
      2. Bengal
        • British forced to coexist with Indians for duration of colony
        • powerful Moghul Empire already ruled territory
    4. Implications of Conditions of Future Colonies
      1. Jamestown
        • English ruled only themselves; gained separate identity as Americans
        • initial economic failures frightened many private enterprises and left Jamestown to be ruled by English government.
      2. Bengal
        • English ruled subservient people
        • Managed to maintain English identity
        • Economic success made British East India Company very powerful
      3. Comparing and Contrasting the Two
        • Both originally settled by single men; women only sent after colonies gained firm setting
        • How do both of these colonies fit the "British" pattern of colonization?
        • How did the Moghul Empire differ from the natives that the Jamestown colonists encountered?
        • Which colony was more prosperous?
        • Which colony suffered more setbacks? Which had a more difficult time becoming established?
        • Was there a sense of mission common to the two colonies?
        • Could the colony set up in Bengal survive in Virginia, and vice versa?

II. Virginia Before & After the Coming of the English

  1. The Powhatan Indians
    1. Government and Structure
      1. Village structure of community; usually built near rivers and streams.
      2. The role of the "werowance" in community-- local chiefs who served as administrative leader of the tribe
      3. Role of tribute given to Powhatan
          Demonstration of submission, proved a readiness to follow Powhatan to war
      4. Dominance of War as a concept in society
        • The conquering of Algonquian tribes by Powhatan; resulting in a confederation of 9000 natives upon the arrival of the Europeans.
      5. How did the Powhatan tribe manage to gain the leadership of the confederation? How did this affect the interaction between the Europeans and the native tribes?

    2. Religion
      1. The secretive nature of Powhatan religion
      2. Polytheistic and idolatrous nature of Powhatan religion. What kind of deities were worshipped? What role did these deities play in the myths and legends of Powhatan culture?
      3. The role of the sun and nature worship in Powhatan religion
      4. Role of priest and worship in Powhatan society. What role did the priest have in the governing of the tribe?
      5. On what occasions did Powhatan natives gather for religious ceremony?
      6. What was the role of priests and religion over the lives of the people?

    3. Relationships between Tribes
      1. Similarity of language among different tribes; presence of interpreter to enable communication
      2. Role of costume/dress/marks in tribal identification
      3. Trade among the tribes
        • What was traded? What was the role of trade in the economic life of the native tribes?
        • How did trade with the French and English affect the trade between the tribes? Or did it?
    4. Daily Life
      1. Food
        • What kind was used? How was it produced?
      2. Clothing
      3. Living Conditions; what kind of structures did the Powhatan Indians build for protection?
      4. Weapons
      5. War Games; what was their purpose in society?

  2. Geography of the Native Tribes
    1. Configuration of Native Tribes Before Founding of Jamestown
      1. Algonquian Tribes.
        • Covered the southern part of the Eastern shore and most of the Tidewater area
      2. Iroquois Tribes
        • Tidewater and Southern Regions
      3. Siouan Tribes
        • Northern regions of Virginia, in between the Potomac and North Anna rivers.
    2. The Powhatan Confederation
      1. The Six Tribes that were encompassed by the confederation (originally)
        • Arrohattac, Appomattoc, Mataponi, Pamunkey, Powhatan, and Youghtanund
      2. 25 tribes which were conquered once Powhatan was at the head of this confederation
        • How far did this confederation reach? What were the boundaries?
      3. The Ruling of the Confederation
        • The use of brothers by Powhatan to rule different parts of the confederation
      4. Relationship of Confederation to later European Settlements
      5. Map area will focus on Virginia and Delmarva Peninsula

  3. Comparison of Treatment of Natives by Colonial Powers
    1. English Treatment
      1. Onset of Relationship, the desire for trade between the colonists and natives
      2. Relationship soured early
        • Why did this relationship take a turn for the worse? Was one group the aggressor, or were both acting out of self-interest?
      3. Expansion outside of Jamestown
        • How did this affect the relationship with the Indians? Were there conflicts over land?
      4. Desire to Christianize the native?
      5. Impact of disease on native tribes; introduced by English settlers
      6. Impact of warfare and disease on Powhatan population
        • At the beginning of the 17th century, the Powhatan population was about 2000; by 1705, it was around 1200; the entire Indian population in Virginia dropped from 18,000 to 2,000 over this time
      7. Official policy in Jamestown
        • Submission to royal crown
        • Effect of the Massacre of 1622 on policy. How did the relationship between the colonists and natives change after 1622?
        • Presence of strategy for conquering natives?
  4. Spanish Treatment
    1. Emphasis on Conversion
      • History of conversion in Catholic Church vs. Anglican Church
    2. Success in Integrating the Two Cultures
      • especially in the Indies and Mexico
      • Why weren't the Spanish as successful with this in Southwest America?
          Resistance from Natives, need for use of unnecessary force
  5. French Treatment
    1. Role of Trade in French Colonialism
      • Array of trading posts vs large, permanent settlements
    2. Treaties with Natives
    3. Alliance with Native Tribes against other tribes
        How did these alliances figure into trade, royal policy, presence of warfare?
    4. Efforts to convert to Catholicism
      • Role of Jesuit priests
  6. Comparison of the Three Colonial Systems
    1. Which of these systems was most threatening to the natives?
    2. Which was the most similar in economic activities to the natives?
    3. Which was the most successful at integration?
    4. Which of these was looked upon most favorably by the natives?
    5. Which proved most beneficial (economic benefit, political gain, dominance over other tribes) for the natives which they came into contact with?

III. The People and Legends of Jamestown

  1. The Myth of Pocahontas and John Smith
    1. Popular Image of Pocahontas
      1. Disney's Pocahontas
    2. John Smith's Pocahontas
      1. Journal of John Smith
        • Perceptions of Powhatan Indians
        • Account of the "Rescue" Incident
        • Smith's arrogance?
    3. The Powhatan's Pocahontas
      • What does the modern Powhatan nation think of the legend of Pocahontas and its portrayal?
          Use of the Powhatan-Renape Nation Website
    4. The "Historical" Pocahontas
      • What do historians tell us of this account? What are its truths and myths?
      • What are some obvious embellishments on the part of John Smith?
    5. Myth vs. History
      • Why has the Pocahontas myth developed the way that it has?
      • Has the Pocahontas story been romanticized?
      • What does our interpretation of the Pocahontas myth say about modern culture?

  2. Pocahontas in England
    1. Rebecca Rolfe;
      1. 1613, Pocahontas brought to Jamestown as prisoner of Captain Samuel Argall;
        • Had been not been to Jamestown for five years, since the "rescuing" of John Smith
      2. Letter from John Rolfe to Governor Sir Thomas Dale, requesting permission to marry Pocahontas
        • How does Rolfe refer to Pocahontas in this letter? How does he view a potential marriage? Is this a reflection of how the natives were viewed by the Jamestown colonists?
      3. Reverend Alan Whitaker travels from Henrico to "instruct" Pocahontas in Christian ways; she confesses faith and takes the Christian name of Rebecca.
        • What does the emphasis on the conversion of Pocahontas reveal about how the colonists viewed the Powhatan natives?
      4. Marriage of John and Rebecca Rolfe, April 5, 1614
    2. Travels to London
      1. The Rolfes left with Sir Thomas Dale when he was recalled to England in May 1616.
      2. Pocahontas and 12 Powhatan natives travelled throughout London
        • Social appeal of Pocahontas; British high society fascinated and amazed
      3. Excerpts from Purchas His Pilgrimes, by the Reverend Samuel Purchas. He met her at an entertainment given by the Bishop of London, and was duly impressed.
      4. Fascination of British society
        • What was the allure of Pocahontas and the Powhatans among the British?
        • How did the British view the natives?
        • How did their perceptions of the natives differ from the perceptions of the American colonists?
        • What did Pocahontas and the natives think of British society?
        • Pocahontas died very soon upon traveling to London; what might have happened had she lived there for many years?

  3. Popular Culture in Jamestown
    1. Elizabethan Culture
      1. Music
      2. Drama
      3. Dancing
      4. Fashion/Dress; what was the role of fashion in society?
    2. Tobacco
      1. Growth of the Tobacco Industry
      2. Tobacco as a social institution
    3. Recreation
    4. Drinking

IV. Historical Perspective of Jamestown

  1. The Founding, Life, and Struggles of Jamestown (an Overall History)
    1. Course of Colonial Charters in the New World
      1. Dutch, French, English
      2. Focus on Middle Atlantic and Southern Colonies
    2. Groups within Jamestown
      1. English colonists, Virginia Company, Indentured Servants, Powhatans, English in England
        • How did these groups experience the founding and history of Jamestown?
        • What were the struggles that these different groups went through? How did they deal with these struggles?
        • How were their experiences different? How were they similar?
        • What sources of conflict were there between the groups?
    3. Significant Events in the History of Jamestown
      • Founding, House of Burgesses, Massacre 0f 1622, Bacon's Rebellion
          How did these events influence the development of the colony?

  2. The Expansion of Jamestown into Virginia/ The History of Jamestown After the Critical Period
    1. The 4 Plantation System
      1. James City (which contained James Town)
      2. City of Henrico
      3. Charles City
      4. Elizabeth City
    2. Expansion
      1. Families moved throughout these cities, settling mainly upon rivers
      2. These 4 counties set up governments, each independent of Jamestown
      3. 1634, the General Assembly divided land into 8 counties
    3. Movement to Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley
      1. Settlement along James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers
      2. Richmond and Fredericksburg founded
    4. Developments
      1. 1693, College of William & Mary founded
      2. 1699, official capital moved to Williamsburg ; Jamestown was in poor and unhealthy area
      3. What was encountered as the Englishmen moved West into the interior of Virginia?
      4. How did the relationship between colonists and natives change as Virginia became settled?
      5. How important did Jamestown remain to the growing colony as it grew?

[ Lesson Plans ] [ Unit Objectives ] [ Annotated Bibliography ]

[ Teaching About Jamestown Main Page ] [ Jamestown Virtual Colony Main Page ]

This page was last updated on and is maintained by the UVA's Program in Social Studies Education.
URL for this page: http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu.