Ch. 2 Learning Objective: Desctibe the development of the Jamestown colony from its disastrous beginnings to its later prosperity

In 1606 the Virginia Company received a charter from the King James I that guranteed settlers the same rights as Englishman in Britain. On May 24, 1607, 100 English settleres set out on a ship and founded Jamestown, however, only 40 voyagers made it. The problems they faced almost immediately included poor drinking water and diseases like malaria and yellow fever. The settlers also spent most of their time looking for gold rather than doing something productive to help them survive; additionally, there were no women on the first voyage to reach Jamestown. It was not until 1608 with Captain John Smith in control that Jamestown was being more productive. The first colonists had to eat dogs, cats, rats, and even humans to survive until the releif party in 1610 arrived.