Jamestown: Struggle for Survival
Extension Activity
Background: In 1606 King James granted a charter to The Virginia Company of London to
establish a settlement in the southern part of England's claim in America. By April of 1607, three
ships sailed up a river on the coast of Virginia. Near the mouth of the James River, they decided
to settle. They named their settlement, Jamestown, in honor of King James. From the start, the
Jamestown settlers endured awful hardships. The site of the settlement was swampy and filled
with mosquitoes. Many settlers became sick from drinking the water. They feared the powerful
Powhatan Indians and to make matters worse, the new settlers were overcome by greed. They
were more interested in hunting for gold than in building shelters or growing food. By autumn of
the first year, food supplies were low and two-thirds of the Jamestown settlers had died.
The Situation: Nearly all of the settlers seem to be consumed with one thought right from the
beginning of the expedition — the discovery of gold. Colonists have been directing most of their
efforts toward searching the land for riches and little time building houses, defenses or planting
crops. The colonists are arguing among themselves and little is getting done. No one is able to
take charge and improve the situation. There is an appointed council to rule the colony, however,
they are stockholders in the Virginia Company and live in London and are not aware of the
problems facing the settlers. Captain John Smith, one of the settlers, is a former soldier and
adventurer. The settlers have formed a local council and have elected him leader.
Plan of Action: Captain John Smith and his advisors on the council must develop a "Jamestown
Survival Plan" that will help the colony survive and succeed. You are his advisors and must help
with this plan.
Questions to consider when developing your plan:
1. What are the three most important things we the colonists must do to help the colony survive?
2. Who will do the work?
3. What will we do to solve our immediate problem of the lack of food?
4. How will we be sure to have adequate supplies of food in the future?
5. How can we be sure that all colonists will do their fair share of the work?
6. How should we deal with the local Indians?
7. What is the design of our colony for the best protection against the elements and enemies?
8. In recruiting future settlers, what skills and occupations should we require?
Directions: (1) Create your "Jamestown Survival Plan" based on the answers to questions 1- 8
and other information you think is important to consider. Be certain to prepare reasons for your
decisions. Your response to each question needs to be at least 75 – 100 words. (2) You will also
need to draw a map of your colony that will include the placement of your fort and other
buildings. (3) Conclude with recommendations for future supply requests and future settlers
(about 125 – 150 words) – not the same as question #8.
DUE: ______________________(all three parts)