If I had an opportunity to travel across English colonies, I would have traveled to Jamestown because this was the first place that had been conquered by the British invaders. Besides, I could have become a witness of remarkable and historically important events that happened during the English colonization.
Located in Virginia, I could also chance to take part in establishing and developing colonies, as well enjoy the benefits of geographical location. There were also many other interesting events, including introduction to the indigenous culture, development of agriculture in the area, as well as acquaintance with the most influential figures in the history of colonization (Davidson et al. 6).
Finally, I could also have traced the origins of the historic survival of the newcomers on the Indian lands, particularly when the indigenous population rescued colonizers from hunger. However, I would prefer settling this territory after the years of hunger because these times were the most difficult ones for aristocratic population. Hence, I chose to stay at Jamestown for 15 years –from 1610 to 1624 – to trace economic, political, and cultural changes in the colonized region.
At the beginning of seventeenth century, many newcomers conquering Virginia were of aristocratic origins and, therefore, the main purpose of their expansion consisted in increasing the profits of the Virginia Company, the first enterprise established on the colonized territories.
Therefore, I could also have learnt much about the main underpinnings for the company’s activities, as well as their influence on the development and welfare of the colonized area. The significant economic progress would have allowed me to find a prestigious job and fulfill my professional goals.
Moreover, it could have become a marvelous opportunity for me to explore how ancient Americans adjusted to new economic conditions. Despite the rapid economic development, I would still be more concerned with cultural background of the period because this was an excellent opportunity to explore the history of Native Americans, as well as define why they had to confront the pressure on the part of the English colonists.
To increase the Virginia Company’s revenues, the new settlers tried a variety of small industries, including wood production, glassmaking, and potash production. However, none of the ventures had been successful until the production of tobacco was introduced by the colonist John Rolfe, an English newcomer who married Pocahontas, an indigenous girl.
During this period, tobacco was among the most popular plants that had been growing in the New World and, therefore, it brought in considerable revenues. Living at the beginning of the seventeenth century could have provided me with new business opportunities for expanding commercial relations.
Economic progress, therefore, could have created new ways for promoting my business and establishing fruitful relationships with Native Americans, who possessed valuable experience in cultivating land. Further expansion and growth of tobacco business allowed the settlers to carry out first export of the product to other countries and continents. The development of tobacco production influenced the decision of King James I to dissolve the Virginia Company and focus on other fields of potential growth.
Continued expansion and planting activities on the conquered had led to rapid development of agriculture. As soon as Indian tribes and English newcomers managed to establish peaceful relationships, the first assembly in Jamestown had decided to create the government of Virginia that could ensure justice and wealthy existences of all the inhabited people. This government was called the House of Burgesses, the precursor of the Virginia General Assembly.
The created group consisted of such influential figures as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry. All these political and economic activists lived at the beginning of the seventeenth century and, therefore, I could have had the possibility to gain knowledge about their policies, reforms, and activities. I could also have witnessed the development of four districts in the city that the colonist introduced to take greater control of the territory.
The representative government of English in the New World introduced a number of laws, causing numerous confrontations with indigenous population. In particular, a 1622 war with Indians, as well as multiple rebellions of the Indian population against the government is presented as the most abhorrent event in American history. As a result of such confrontations, the company had been destroyed in 1624 and the king of the colony had made the district royal.
from significant political development, I could also have traced the first arrival of African-American workers who had been originally recognized as servants. Based on the agreement, the workers had to work on the land for several years to be able to own it in future. Therefore, this period could also be considered successful because the agreement did not imply slavery or limitation to immigrants’ freedom.
With regard to the above-presented events, the last years of my staying at the colonies would have been the most difficult ones because the Indian population resisted the development of English colony. As a result, the events of 1622 related to the most horrible ones because they were connected with Indian Massacre, when more than 300 new settles had been killed.
I believe that rapid spread of Christianity and economic development as a means of demonstrating power and influence of England was not a good policy because most of the explorers failed to express tolerance to religion and culture of the Indian tribes. However, abundance of resources that could contribute to the colonists’ wealth, as well as reluctance to cede the positions to the native population, had become the main reason for the emerged conflicts.
Jamestown continued controlling social and political life in Virginia, although the legislature and excess pressure of the newcomers made the Indian population constantly encounter segregation and violent treatment. Despite the fact that the period from 1610 to 1624 had a great number of hardships for the English colonist arriving to the coasts of Northern American, the new settlers managed to overcome the difficulties and create a powerful commercial, economic, and political infrastructure.
Therefore, Jamestown could be regarded as the most successful and prosperous centre at the beginning of the English colonization. Most of the events occurred to the region were connected with economic and commercial progress and, therefore, I could have had marvelous opportunities for carrying out business activities in case they were connected with agriculture.
Tobacco production was also among the most profitable ventures and, therefore, the New World during the period was also considered as the place for establishing commercial and business ventures. Finally, due to the fact that most of clashes between the Native population and the newcomers were based on religious discrepancies, I would have expressed more tolerance to their culture and traditions.
Works Cited
Davidson James West, Delay Brian, Heyrman Christine Leigh, Lytle Mark, and Michael Stoff. Experience History: Interpreting America’s Past. US: McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2010. Print.