Jamestown: Why Did So Many Colonists Die?

Hook Exercise:
1. In what modern-day State is this region located?
Virginia
2. What can you infer about who lived in this area before the arrival of the English?

There were a lot of native Americans living in this area.

3. Why would the English choose to settle here?

People needed fresh water and the James river and work river were near by.
4. Is there any evidence that the English expected trouble?
The map shows 7 English forts. People build forts when they expect trouble.
5. Is there any evidence that the English may have been too confident?
Compare Indian settlements to white settlements on the map.
The distance between the forts on the western portion of the map suggests that the English
colonists were perhaps to confident in their ability to defend themselves against the Indians.
6. In fact, there were many additional smaller Powhatan settlements sprinkled throughout this
region. Is there any evidence on the map or in the caption to suggest this may have been so?

Look at the title. The term “principal settlements” suggests that there are more Indian
settlements that aren’t shown.

Background Essay Questions

1. Why did the English come to America in 1607?

By establishing a colony in the new world, English investors hoped to make a profit. The
colonists also thought they could teach the Native population the ways of Christ and possibly
find a hidden trade route to china.
2. Who helped pay for settling the James River colony?
A group of investors set up a company called the Virginia company.
3. How many settlers died in the first six months?
70 settlers died in the first six months.
4. With regard to age and social class, who were the first settlers?
The vast majority were younger and poor