Jamestown:
All you need to know
Table of Contents
-Introduction
-The First Years
-Geography
-The First Settlement
Introduction
Did you know that Jamestown was the first successful colony and it was originally built on a marsh by wealthy English men? The land that the colonists settled on was inhabited by the Powhatan tribe, this had benefits but also brought challenges. Jamestown had a hard few first years and the settlers actually deserted Jamestown. Luckily a new ship sailed from England and persuaded the settlers to turn back. Also a big factor of Jamestown’s challenges was the geography, such as the fact that it was built on a marsh. Although Jamestown had challenges and struggles, it succeeded and became the first successful colony in the Americas causing more and more attempts at settlements.
The First Years
The first few years were the roughest. First they had to cross the ocean and choose a good spot to land. The ride across the rough seas was anything but relaxing and the stress of landing at an unsuitable location, which they still did, was unnerving. Originally, the Powhatan tribe was helping them; then they started arguing over trades. John Smith and Pocahontas helped the trade stay intact. But bad luck befell them. Smith was injured in a gunpowder explosion and had to return to England. After that, the Powhatan tribe ended their trade and started fighting the colonists.That made some historians wonder, why could only Cap. John Smith keep peace between the two conflicting sides? In the first years after that nearly all original settlers had perished. The surviving settlers were eating rats and drinking salty, dirty water. Some had even murdered other settlers and eaten them. After enduring this for a long time, the last settlers abandoned Jamestown. They sailed away but had not gotten far before another ship from England arrived with supplies and about 150 fresh settlers. They persuaded the Jamestown settlers to turn back. Once they returned, more settlers came, including John Rolfe. Rolfe discovered a new tobacco and England loved it so they let Jamestown stay. Jamestown had been settled.
Geography
There are many theories on why early colonists chose to settle in the location they did at Jamestown. They settled along the James River surrounded on three sides by water so it would be easy to defend. They also may have chosen that specific spot so that they could fish. There were many different varieties of fish living in the James River. Also the fish would attract animals like raccoons, providing food and hides. Another theory is they thought they would find gold in the river, but they did not. They did not choose a good place to settle.The settlers built the original fort on top of a marsh that was infested with mosquitoes carrying a deadly disease called malaria.
The First Successful Settlement
Being the first successful colony made Jamestown a very important part of history. The settlers represented the hardships and struggles of creating a settlement and keeping it running long enough to be able to run itself. Not only were they a big part of history, but could have been role models for new settlements. The reason some historians believe that is because after Jamestown was established as the first successful settlement, there was a chain reaction of new settlements. First, 13 years later, Plymouth was settled, then Boston, then Maryland, Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia followed. These settlements may not have happened if Jamestown had not been settled. 
Conclusion
Jamestown is a very important part of our American history. Jamestown had hard times and struggles but the early colonists kept on going until they beat the struggles of conflict and geography, claiming a spot in world history. Here is a question to ask yourself, What would have happened if they had not beat these struggles?
