The first colony at Jamestown faced immense hardships in its early years. The original group of 104 settlers arrived in 1607 but over half had died by the end of summer due to disease, lack of shelter, and malnutrition. John Smith took control and instituted strict rules requiring the colonists to work to build shelters and plant crops, which helped the colony survive. However, difficulties continued and by the winter of 1609-1610, called "the starving time", the population was devastated and only 60 of the 500 colonists remained alive.

1. Jamestown The First Colony

2. The Beginning… London Company sent 3 ships (104 people) Discovery, Susan Constant, Godspeed To Virginia for gold, silver, and copper April 26,1607 Sailed into river (Named it after King James) Built fort on peninsula Named it Jamestown

3. Jamestown Endless troubles Swampy Fever-bearing mosquitoes Malaria Unable to build houses and plant crops before winter End of summer- over half dead, others dying 1 st ship from England a year later Only 38 still alive

4. Fixing the problem? King James made council Mostly London Company stockholders Knew nothing of situation Insisted on finding gold Created local council (no authority) Lots of arguing among settlers Poorly Prepared No farming or carpentry skills Not used to hard labor Didn’t realize the hard work ahead of them

5. John Smith (in general) English sailor, solider, and writer Man of action- took charge Seen much more of the world Fought in many eastern Europe wars against the Turks Once captured, sold into slavery, and escaped After Jamestown, in sailing expedition caught by French pirates – and escaped from them Lived out the rest of his life in England writing.

6. John Smith (in Jamestown) Took charge when no one else would (or could) Elected president of Virginia Council Bargained for food with Indians Stopped search for gold Put people to work building shelters and planting crops Hard work and discipline worked

7. London Company Steps In Decide the colony needs a governor Sends 9 ships with 600 people The first governor put off coming Lord De La Warr Smith had to return to England for supplies and convince investors to spend more money Without Smith rules and organization fell apart 1609-1610 called the “starving time”

8. Homework Write a journal article pretending to be one of the first to live in Jamestown. Include Date- Sometime shortly after April 26 1607 Who you were with? What things did you see? New things What was difficult? Fun? What you think your future will be like in Jamestown.