Jamestown: The first permanent English colony

Why did the colonists choose an island as the site for Jamestown?

• It was far enough to hide from the Spanish

• It offered protection from the Powhatan tribe

• The surrounding water was deep enough for their ships

• The island was a Powhatan hunting ground

• The island flooded from time to time

Instead of finding gold, Jamestown discovered that _____________ was their key to economic success.

Answer explanation

John Rolfe learned that tobacco grew well in Virginia soil. He also figured out how to pack it efficiently for transport.

Which colonist discovered that tobacco grew well in Virginia?

• John Smith

• John Rolfe

• John Doe

• John Hattan

Some early failures of the Jamestown were:

• the colonists brought too many surgeons.

• the colonists were too concerned with finding gold.

• the colonists did not have the skills to survive.

• the colonists only grew tobacco.

Answer explanation

The colonists did not arrive with the mindset or skills needed to survive in the New World. Most starved during the first winter.

Most early colonists went to Jamestown with the hope of finding:

• tobacco

• a new world to explore

• gold

• friends

Answer explanation

Early colonists were fixated on the idea that the New World was filled with gold.

As a result of the tremendous value of tobacco:

• Jamestown became a bustling city

• Jamestown had to find new sources of labor

• Jamestown started selling it to indians

• Jamestown became addicted to cigarretes

Answer explanation

Since tobacco was so hard to grow, Jamestown had to figure out new ways to get people to work the fields that grew tobacco.

The ____________ ________ was an early period of death and suffering for the Jamestown colonists.

Answer explanation

The colonists were not prepared for the first winter and over 300 colonists died of starvation. It was called the starving time.

By how much did Virginia's African population increase between 1640 and 1650?

• 50 people

• 150 people

• 200 people

• 250 people

The fort at Jamestown was arranged in a:

• circle

• triangle

• square

• line

The Native Americans around Jamestown were the:

• Powhatan Tribe

• Power Ranger Tribe

• Iroquois Tribe

• Sioux Tribe