Essay On Colonial Virginia

During 1606 and 1700 settlers flocked to Virginia seeking riches – only to find hardship. However, after many years, the colonists secured a solid social and economic system that would make Virginia one of the most important colonies. Some of the first hardships that the Virginia settlers faced were disease, malnutrition, and starvation. When they arrived, the settlers spent time searching for gold instead of making preparations for the winter to come. Once winter did come, the settlers died with diseases as swellings, and fevers. The settlers were used to their ways of life back in Britain and were never “in such misery as we were in this new discovered Virginia”. However, the colonists were saved by the leadership of Captain John …show more content…
Then, John Rolfe came to their aid when he made large advances in the practice of growing tobacco – a product of high demand in European countries. John Rolfe’s attempts put Virginia on stable ground and had effects on many people’s health – effects of which are still seen today in America. As seen in the tobacco advertisements, the tobacco business was important to Virginia’s economic status. Colonists and Britons were persuaded to “Fear not Death, nor killing Care; Whil’ st we have best Virginia here.” This expresses the importance of tobacco to the colonists. In fact the Virginians liked tobacco so much that in many scenerios they would plant the tobacco before they planted their food! However, one aspect that started was Virginia’s dependence to tobacco leaves. The entire status of the Virginia colony was chained to the constantly changing prices of a crop. Tobacco was of significance to Virginia in more ways than one.
After many years, the Virginians had overcome the troubles they had faced and developed a social and economic system. Through the growing of tobacco and the employment of slaves, the Virginia colonists were able to secure a social and economic system that would make Virginia one of the most important American