Progression Of Virginia Colony

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Under the influence of a London-based corporation, hundreds of settlers flocked to the Virginia colony in 1606 in search of wealth and treasure. They encountered untold hardships. Over the next century these colonists and those that followed transformed Virginia into one of England’s most important North American colonies. Examine the challenges the Virginians faced and the ways in which their efforts changed the colony socially and economically over the century. This essay follows the progression of the Virginia settlement into one of the greatest and well known English colonies. In 1606 hundreds of English gentlemen set sail in the name of the Virginia Company of London and King James I. These colonists began on a rocky path towards their permanent settlement in America. Their new home. The Virginian colonists’ adaption to the new world of America was no easy feat and was certainly full of obstacles. The colonists’ initial goals of gold and glory were tossed away and replace by a single goal, to survive. However with inspirational leadership and large amounts of luck the colonists survived and thrived. During the 16th and 17th centuries England had gone through some great economic changes. Some of which included a high demand of wool which put many people, mostly farmers out of a job. The colonization of the America allowed for great opportunities for farmers and many other jobless English citizens. But, what the King had hoped for were two main objectives. One, to find gold or hard money”, used as an international currency. Two, to find a route to the South seas. Some other side goals which England hoped for was to establish ties with other foreign countries in order to more easily attain luxury and exotic products which the English people had desired greatly. England also wished to gain a flow of raw materials from America to England so that they may expand.

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