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Colonies in Virginia
Colonies in Virginia
The colonist spent all their time looking for and digging
for gold.
People died of starvation and disease. After 1 year only
38 were left.
John Smith was elected the leader and said, “He that will
not work, shall not eat.”
With Smith in charge, the colonists built houses, dug
wells, planted crops, fished, and hunted.
Smith was able to trade with the Powhatans.
He left in 1609 and the colony suffered again
Luckily, the Virginia Company sent Lord De La Warre
and gave him the power to force colonists to work. The
survivors were saved.
Tobacco
Native Americans trade tobacco to the colonist
By 1600’s tobacco was popular in European nations
1612 John Rolfe decided to plant tobacco as his
cash crop.
King James “hateful to the nose, harmful to the
brain, and dangerous to the lungs”
To raise all the tobacco, farmers needed more help,
so they used indentured servants.
The colony became profitable and had peace with
Native Americans because John Rolfe married
Pocahontas.
July 30,1619 Virginia was able to self-govern with
the House of Burgesses.