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US History – Essential Jamestown Colony Facts for GED Social Studies Prep with Practice Test Questions

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As you go through this text, you will find some GED Social Studies practice questions and their solutions after the text, also the meaning of key vocabulary words highlighted in the text.. You can check our YouTube Channel for more GED Resources.- https://www.youtube.com/@DTWTESTPREP

The English Colony in Virginia

The English were eager to establish colonies in North America, driven by the promise of new opportunities, wealth, and expansion of their empire. In 1585, an English expedition led by Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to establish a colony on Roanoke Island, located off the coast of present-day North Carolina. However, this colony, known as the “Lost Colony,” mysteriously disappeared, with no definitive trace of the settlers left behind.

Approximately 20 years later, in 1607, a group of English merchants received a charter from King James I of England to establish a new settlement in North America. This venture was undertaken by the Virginia Company of London, a joint-stock company seeking profits from the New World. About 100 settlers embarked on a perilous journey across the Atlantic, eventually landing in an area they named Virginia. Here, they established Jamestown, named in honor of King James I. Jamestown holds the distinction of being the first permanent English colony in what is now the United States.

Early Struggles and Survival

The initial years of the Jamestown colony were fraught with difficulties. Most of the settlers were gentlemen unaccustomed to manual labor, including farming. Additionally, the region’s marshy terrain and brackish water supply contributed to disease and malnutrition. These conditions led to the “Starving Time” during the winter of 1609-1610, when the population of the colony dwindled from approximately 500 to 60 settlers due to starvation and disease.

A significant turning point for the struggling colony came with the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe. Rolfe, who had arrived in Jamestown in 1610, learned from the local Native American tribes that tobacco was a valuable and successful crop. Recognizing that tobacco was in high demand in England but did not grow well there, Rolfe experimented with different strains and eventually developed a high-quality tobacco product. By 1612, Jamestown’s tobacco exports began to flourish, providing the colony with a much-needed economic lifeline. This “brown gold” became Virginia’s primary cash crop and a cornerstone of its economy for years to come.

Source; https://thehistoryjunkie.com/jamestown-colony-facts/

Establishment of the House of Burgesses

In 1619, the Virginia Company instituted a form of self-governance for the settlers, creating the House of Burgesses, the first elected legislative assembly in the American colonies. This body allowed the colonists to have a say in their own governance and set a precedent for democratic principles in the New World. The House of Burgesses consisted of representatives, known as burgesses, elected by the male landowners of the colony. These representatives met to discuss and make decisions on local issues, laws, and taxes.

Most of the early members of the House of Burgesses were members of the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. As the official church of the colony, the Anglican Church’s influence was pervasive, leading to the marginalization of other religious groups. Non-Anglicans often faced pressure to conform or relocate to areas where religious tolerance was more prevalent.

Prominent Figures and Legacy

Several notable figures in American history served in the House of Burgesses. George Washington, who would later become the first President of the United States, was elected as a burgess in 1758 and served for 15 years. Patrick Henry, famed for his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech, and Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, were also members of this legislative body. Their involvement in the House of Burgesses provided them with crucial experience in governance and leadership.

At the time of Washington’s election, each county in Virginia sent two representatives to the House of Burgesses. These representatives were required by law to be male landowners and at least 21 years old, reflecting the limited suffrage of the period.

The establishment of Jamestown and the creation of the House of Burgesses were significant milestones in the early history of English colonization in North America. They laid the groundwork for representative government and economic prosperity, influencing the development of democratic institutions and practices in what would eventually become the United States.

The story of Jamestown is a testament to the resilience and determination of the early colonists. Despite facing immense challenges, they managed to establish a foothold in the New World, paving the way for future settlements and the expansion of English influence in North America.

Key vocabularies from the text along with their meanings:

  1. Colony: A territory under the political control of a distant country, typically settled by people from that country. In the context of the English colony in Virginia, it refers to the establishment of a permanent settlement by English settlers in North America.
  2. Charter: A formal document issued by a government or monarch that grants specific rights, privileges, or powers to an individual or group. In this case, King James I of England granted a charter to the Virginia Company of London, giving them permission to establish a colony in North America.
  3. Joint-stock Company: A business entity in which shares of the company’s stock can be bought and sold by shareholders. The Virginia Company of London was a joint-stock company formed to establish settlements in the New World and generate profits for its investors.
  4. Perilous: Full of danger or risk. It describes the challenging and hazardous nature of the journey undertaken by the settlers to establish the Jamestown colony.
  5. Marshy: Characterized by soft, wet land with low-lying vegetation, often found in coastal areas. The marshy terrain around Jamestown presented challenges for the settlers in terms of agriculture and infrastructure development.
  6. Brackish: Slightly salty, often referring to water that is a mix of freshwater and saltwater. The brackish water supply in Jamestown contributed to health issues and difficulties in obtaining clean drinking water for the settlers.
  7. Cultivation: The process of preparing and working on land to grow crops. John Rolfe’s introduction of tobacco cultivation was a crucial development that transformed the economic fortunes of Jamestown.
  8. Cash crop: A crop grown for sale rather than for personal consumption. Tobacco became Virginia’s primary cash crop, driving its economy and trade with England.
  9. Self-governance: The ability of a community or group to govern itself independently, without external control. The establishment of the House of Burgesses allowed the settlers in Virginia to participate in their own governance, marking an early form of self-governance in the American colonies.
  10. Legislative assembly: A group of elected representatives who meet to make laws and decisions on behalf of a larger population. The House of Burgesses was the first elected legislative assembly in the American colonies, representing a significant step towards representative government.
  11. Democracy: A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. The House of Burgesses introduced democratic principles to the English colonies by allowing colonists to elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
  12. Suffrage: The right to vote in political elections. The limited suffrage in early Virginia required male landowners over the age of 21 to participate in the election of representatives to the House of Burgesses.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. What was a major challenge faced by the Jamestown settlers in the early years?

A. Lack of knowledge about tobacco cultivation

B. Frequent conflicts with the Spanish

C. Disease and starvation

D. Pressure from other English colonies

2. Why was tobacco referred to as “brown gold” in Jamestown?

A. It was a rare and expensive variety of tobacco.

B. It significantly improved the colony’s economy.

C. It was used as a form of currency among settlers.

D. It was cultivated using unique farming methods.

3. What was the primary purpose of the Virginia Company’s charter?

A. To establish a permanent English presence in North America

B. To convert Native Americans to Christianity

C. To explore and map the North American coastline

D. To create trade alliances with other European nations

4. Which statement best summarizes the main idea of the text?

A. Jamestown’s success relied on agricultural innovation and representative government.

B. The House of Burgesses was more important than the cultivation of tobacco.

C. John Rolfe was the sole reason for Jamestown’s survival.

D. The establishment of an official church ensured the colony’s stability.

5. How did the establishment of the House of Burgesses influence the future of American government?

A. It led to the immediate independence of the American colonies.

B. It provided a model for representative government.

C. It created a religious hierarchy within the colonies.

D. It discouraged other colonies from seeking self-governance.

6. What inference can be made about the relationship between the Jamestown settlers and the Native Americans?

A. The settlers and Native Americans always had hostile interactions.

B. The Native Americans played a crucial role in the settlers’ survival.

C. The settlers completely disregarded Native American agricultural knowledge.

D. The Native Americans were primarily interested in trading European goods.

7. What conclusion can be drawn about the impact of tobacco on Jamestown’s economy?

A. Tobacco was a minor crop that had little effect on the colony.

B. The profitability of tobacco farming led to Jamestown’s economic stability.

C. The demand for tobacco in England was low and inconsistent.

D. Tobacco cultivation was banned by the English government.

8. How did John Rolfe’s agricultural practices contribute to Jamestown’s success?

A. He introduced new farming equipment from England.

B. He developed a strain of tobacco that thrived in the local climate.

C. He focused on growing a variety of crops to sustain the colony.

D. He established trade routes with other European colonies.

9. What role did the Church of England play in the Jamestown colony?

A. It provided educational services for the settlers.

B. It became the official church and influenced local governance.

C. It organized trade missions to other colonies.

D. It offered medical care to the settlers.

10. What does the text suggest about the social structure of Jamestown?

A. It was a society with equal opportunities for all settlers.

B. Social status was heavily influenced by land ownership and church membership.

C. There was a strong emphasis on military leadership.

D. The colony had a rigid caste system based on ancestry.

11. How did the “Starving Time” impact the population of Jamestown?

A. It led to a significant reduction in the number of settlers.

B. It resulted in increased immigration from England.

C. It strengthened the settlers’ relationship with the Native Americans.

D. It caused the settlers to abandon the colony temporarily.

12. What role did the Virginia Company of London play in the establishment of Jamestown?

A. It provided funding and organizational support for the colony.

B. It directly governed the colony from England.

C. It recruited military personnel to protect the settlers.

D. It focused on converting Native Americans to Christianity.

13. Which factor played a crucial role in the survival and success of the Jamestown colony?

A. Gaining royal approval to establish the settlement

B. Cultivating tobacco and exporting it to England

C. Establishing an official religion

D. Forming the House of Burgesses

14. Based on the text, what can be inferred about the House of Burgesses?

A. It was the starting point for the political careers of several notable American leaders.

B. Every member of the House of Burgesses eventually became President of the United States.

C. The structure of the House of Burgesses was based on the United States Congress.

D. The majority of Virginians were eligible to be elected to the House of Burgesses due to land ownership.

SOLUTIONS

  1. C. Disease and starvation
  2. B. It significantly improved the colony’s economy
  3. A. To establish a permanent English presence in North America
  4. A. Jamestown’s success relied on agricultural innovation and representative government.
  5. B. It provided a model for representative government
  6. B. The Native Americans played a crucial role in the settlers’ survival
  7. B. The profitability of tobacco farming led to Jamestown’s economic stability
  8. B. He developed a strain of tobacco that thrived in the local climate.
  9. B. It became the official church and influenced local governance
  10. B. Social status was heavily influenced by land ownership and church membership.
  11. A. It led to a significant reduction in the number of settlers
  12. A. It provided funding and organizational support for the colony
  13. B. Cultivating tobacco and exporting it to England
  14. A. It was the starting point for the political careers of several notable American leaders.

Closure;


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