Jamestown

After acquiring a charter from the King of England, buisnessmen of the Virginia Compony of London in late 1606, set out for the New World (on the Godspeed, Susan Constant, and the Discovery). This charter allowed for the men to explore, settle, and govern in place of the English government in parts. When English settlers set out, they intended to find the "Northwest Passage", which was supposedly a way through the North American continent, thus making travel easier and quicker to China and the Spice Islands. Founded on May 14, 1607, the settlement of Jamestown was originally created as a way for profit through mining gold and silver, planting and harvesting tobacco, and obtaining wood. Jamestown was located on the peninsula of the James River, and was named for King James I of England. Jamestown was also where the first representative of the American government resided.

http://americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/jamestownvirginia

Want to return to the Unit 5 and 6 Term Page? Click Here!

Created by Rachel Mitchell 12/07/08