Greetings From Virginia!
By Alvin Lee :)
Early History - Virginia's Settlement Period
Beginning with the documentation of Spanish explorers in their attempt to reach the area, this event of the 1500's failed and the Spanish were not accredited with the title of being the ones to occupy the area. In turn, the people of England were later accredited nearly a century later with the title of Virginian settlement in Jamestown in 1607. The English were attempting to look for gold, but failed all while depressing into a state of starvation as they were much far away from their homeland, England. Not only that, but the land was arid and nearly infertile during several seasons, so the colony as a whole nearly fell until it turned to the heavenly resource that was tobacco. Of course, tobacco in the contemporary era is seen as detrimental to one's health; that is, unless you consider the fact that an entire colony can run off of it as its major export.
(Jamestown in Colonial Virginia)
Virginia - Important Events and Developments
- The colony of Virginia became the wealthiest colony of all of the British colonies, all while being the most populated and having an elected general assembly in the mid 1700's.
- The colony of Virginia became a key factor in the pre-American Revolution, due to the fact that Virginia provided many secretive, out-of-the-way areas that the redcoats could not easily find which led to the creation of the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence in the mid 1700's.
- Tobacco became the major export of Virginia, which let the colony thrive in its newly-found stable economy in the late 1600's.
(The Declaration of Independence)
Why Settle?
- Virginia is quickly beginning to become one of the most well-developed colonies in the Americas, due to the fact that tobacco is in high demand throughout the rest of the Americas and Europe and, in turn, Virginia is a major supplier of said resource!
- Virginia is home to many sightseeing opportunities, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Piedmont!
- Virginia is near the coast of the Americas -- that being said, there is easy access to beach waters and that well-earned vacation just miles from where you should be living!
(Virginia Beach)
Virginia - Key People In Colony Development
- In early colonial times, captain John Smith and his arrival with his settlers in 1607 was the first and foremost person to lead his own crew to the Virginian grounds. Through his leadership and hard, enduring spirit, John was able to lead his crew throughout the unoccupied, dry lands of Virginia to the Indian tribe led by Chief Powhatan.
- By the time captain John Smith arrived on Virginian grounds, Chief Powhatan had control of over 30 Indian tribes and had his headquarters located at Werowocomoco on the York river. He played a key role in the aid of teaching John Smith the "ropes" of Virginia, such as farming tactics and the basics of Indian culture.
- Captain Christopher Newport was also an English captain that carried out many resupply voyages to Virginia with his nine-ship-fleet, as he was a "seasoned mariner" in the art of sailing and played a key role in providing food and supplies from England and back to captain John Smith and his crew, along with other crews that settled in Virginia as time passed by.
(Captain John Smith of England)
Virginia - Impact of Geography & The Virginian Fundamentals
The impact of certain aspects such as colony location and physical geography was immediately apparent when captain John Smith arrived in Virginia. Virginia is located on the coast of the Americas, at the far east side. That being said, the five major landmarks of Virginia are today dubbed as the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Tidewater Coastal Plain, the Valley Ridge, and the Appalachian Plateau. These five physically geographic landmarks made trade and regional communication throughout Virginia quite difficult, especially the Valley Ridge and Blue Ridge Mountains. Although this is true, Indian tribes were able to settle in these areas and use surrounding rivers to their advantage -- similarly, Virginian settlers laid down in geographically advantageous areas far from these geographic impairments that were close to rivers and forests for water and access to resources such as wildlife (meat) and firewood from trees.
(The Blue Ridge Mountains)