Emerging Colonial Societies: Jamestown and Beyond

A set of Q&A style flashcards covering the core topics of early Jamestown, Spanish, French, and Dutch colonial efforts, key figures, and governance as presented in the notes.

What is Jamestown?

The first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company on the James River in Virginia.

What rights did Jamestown settlers receive under the Virginia Company's charter?

They were guaranteed the same rights as Englishmen in England.

Who were the three groups from which the first Jamestown colonists were drawn?

Down-on-their-luck gentlemen; Pardoned prisoners; Unemployed urban craftsmen.

What were the three missions given to Jamestown colonists by the Virginia Company?

Convert Indians to Christianity; Find gold; Discover the Northwest Passage.

What was the Starving Time (1609-1610) in Jamestown?

A severe famine during which only about 60 of 400 colonists survived; cannibalism occurred; caused by lack of supplies and poor planning.

Whose motto was 'He that will not work shall not eat,' and in what context was it used?

Captain John Smith; used to enforce labor and discipline to save the colony in 1608.

Who saved Captain John Smith from execution, and what was the significance?

Pocahontas; the event helped pause hostilities and stabilize relations with the Powhatan while supplies and peace were sought.

What was Dale’s Code (Dale’s Dictatorship)?

A harsh martial-law regime instituted by Sir Thomas Dale with strict military discipline, assigned ranks, restricted movement, and severe punishments.

What were the effects of Dale’s dictatorship on the Virginia Colony?

Virginia became largely self-sufficient within five years and experienced relative peace with Native Americans.

How did John Rolfe impact Jamestown’s economy?

He introduced Caribbean tobacco seeds that thrived in Jamestown, creating a lucrative export.

What was the broader impact of tobacco on Jamestown’s population and expansion?

Tobacco farming spurred settlement and plantations, helping the population grow and push inland (about 30,000 by 1670).

What is the House of Burgesses?

Virginia’s representative assembly established in 1619; included elected Burgesses and had power to make laws and approve taxes with the governor’s consent.

When did Virginia become a Royal Colony and what changed?

1624; the Virginia Company was dissolved by King James I and the colony came under royal governance.

What is a joint-stock company?

A business where many investors pool resources and share profits, with liability limited to each investor’s stake.

What happened at Roanoke Island?

England’s early colonization attempts (1585 and 1587); the Lost Colony disappeared by 1590; ‘Croatoan’ carved on a tree remained as a clue.

Who was Sir Humphrey Gilbert and what did he attempt?

The first English attempt to establish a colony in Newfoundland in 1583; failed due to weather; he died at sea.

Who was Sir Walter Raleigh and what did he contribute to colonial history?

Patron of Roanoke voyages; helped popularize the name ‘Virginia’ for the region in honor of Elizabeth I; promoted exploration and English ambitiousness in North America.

What did Jacques Cartier accomplish?

Explored the St. Lawrence River for France, laying groundwork for later French claims in North America.

Who was Samuel de Champlain and what did he establish?

Founder of Quebec in 1608; regarded as the Father of New France for establishing the first permanent French settlement there.

Who was Henry Hudson and what did he contribute?

Dutch explorer who navigated the Hudson River in 1609, paving the way for Dutch claims in the region (New Netherland).

Who was René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle and what did he accomplish?

Explored the Mississippi River basin and claimed Louisiana for France, expanding French imperial claims in North America.

What were New France and New Amsterdam?

New France encompassed the St. Lawrence Valley and the Great Lakes region; New Amsterdam (later New York) was the Dutch settlement on Manhattan.

Why is St. Augustine, Florida, historically significant?

Founded by the Spanish in 1565; one of the oldest European-established settlements in what is now the United States.

What did Coronado seek and what did he actually find?

Sought the mythical Seven Cities of Gold (Cíbola); instead encountered villages that looked like gold but yielded no treasure.

Why did European powers engage in colonial competition in North America during this period?

As Spain weakened after the Armada, England, France, and the Netherlands pursued colonies and trade (often via privateering and exploration) to gain wealth and strategic advantage.

What was the significance of indentured servitude in Virginia’s colony-building effort?

Indentured service provided a path for poor Englishmen and others to migrate, work for several years, and gain land, helping to populate and stabilize the colony.