Jamestown
America’s First Success Story
“Who settled in Jamestown?”
• Settled in 1607 by the “Virginia Company”
• They were a group looking to make money off of
the gold and jewels they expected to find there
“Where was Jamestown located?”
• Jamestown was located at the mouth of the
James River in modern day Virginia
“What made Jamestown successful?”
• Jamestown started off as a failing settlement
• They settlers discovered that TOBACCO grew very
well in this area, and tobacco brought in a lot of
money
• The Settlement of Jamestown grew and
eventually became the colony of Virginia
“What was the government like in
Jamestown?”
• The king appointed a governor to rule the colony
• As the colony grew into the Virginia Colony the
settlers wanted to have more say in their
government
• The House of Burgesses was created to be a
representative assembly of all of the people in the
colony
“How did the House of Burgesses work?”
• 2 representatives were elected from each county to
assist the governor in making laws for the Colony
• Legislature – a lawmaking assembly
• Overtime the King became preoccupied with events
in England and the House of Burgesses became a
very independent assembly with almost no
involvement from the King
• Gave the colonists representation in government
“What part did the House of Burgesses
play in the formation of the United
States Government?”
• First legislature in America
• Showed the ability for the colonies to govern
themselves