Skip to content

Recent Posts

  • Joseph Stalin – Wartime Leader of the USSR
  • Little Boy – The First Nuclear Weapon Used in Warfare
  • Jefferson Davis – President of the Confederacy
  • The Battle of Gettysburg – The Longest Battle of the Civil War
  • What Led to the American Revolution?

Most Used Categories

  • Facts (42)
  • People (31)
  • War (20)
  • Crime (18)
  • Politics (12)
  • Ancient World (7)
  • United States (7)
  • Science (3)
  • Art (2)
  • Newsletter (1)
Skip to content

Historia Corner

Weekly essays

Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Privacy Policy
  • War
  • Politics
  • Ancient World
  • Alternate History
  • Home
  • United States
  • The First Permanent English Colony in North America

The First Permanent English Colony in North America

bryan@dijkhuizenmedia.comJuly 31, 2023July 31, 2023

The establishment of permanent settlements in North America was a crucial development in England’s colonization of the New World. But what was the name of the very first permanent English colony in present-day America?

Table of Contents

  • Jamestown – England’s First Foothold
  • Earlier Failed Attempts
  • Legacy of Jamestown
  • FAQs About Jamestown
    • Where exactly was Jamestown located?
    • When was Jamestown first established?
    • What challenges did Jamestown face?
    • How long did Jamestown last?

Jamestown – England’s First Foothold

The first permanent English settlement was established in 1607 at Jamestown, located near the Chesapeake Bay in what is now Virginia.

Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company of London as a business venture seeking valuable resources like gold and other trade goods. The site was selected for its easily defensible position.

Despite early struggles with famine, disease, and conflict with Native Americans, Jamestown endured as the first permanent foothold of England in its ambition to build an American empire.

Earlier Failed Attempts

Jamestown succeeded where previous English attempts to settle North America had failed. Earlier abortive efforts included:

  • Roanoke Colony – This 16th century colony on Roanoke Island mysteriously vanished between voyages back to England. It lasted less than 3 years.
  • Popham Colony – Established in 1607, this Maine colony was abandoned after just one year.

Jamestown represented the tenacity of England to finally make a permanent North American settlement after overcoming major obstacles.

Legacy of Jamestown

Jamestown introduced the model of English colonization based on agriculture, natural resource extraction, trade, and relations with Native tribes.

As English influence expanded, Jamestown served as the capital of the Virginia colony for over 80 years until 1699. It was a hub for the emerging system of plantations and introduction of African slavery.

Today the historic Jamestown site is a popular living history museum that tells the storied origins of England’s presence in North America.

FAQs About Jamestown

Where exactly was Jamestown located?

Jamestown was located in the Colony of Virginia, on the north shore of the James River about 40 miles inland from the Chesapeake Bay. It is near the present-day city of Williamsburg, Virginia.

When was Jamestown first established?

Jamestown was established on May 14, 1607 when English settlers arrived by ship and erected the initial fort and buildings.

What challenges did Jamestown face?

Harsh winters, conflicts with Native American tribes, famine, and disease all threatened Jamestown’s survival during its early vulnerable years. High mortality rates almost led to abandonment until stability improved.

How long did Jamestown last?

Jamestown remained the capital of colonial Virginia until 1699, nearly a century after its founding. It survived as England’s first permanent settlement in North America.

So in summary, the first successful English colony in North America was Jamestown, founded in 1607 in what became the Virginia Colony. Its endurance laid the groundwork for England’s colonization of the Americas.

Post navigation

Previous: The Secrets of Egyptian Mythology
Next: George Washington – The First President of the United States

Related Posts

Jefferson Davis – President of the Confederacy

July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 bryan@dijkhuizenmedia.com

The Battle of Gettysburg – The Longest Battle of the Civil War

July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 bryan@dijkhuizenmedia.com

What Led to the American Revolution?

July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 bryan@dijkhuizenmedia.com

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

    Copyright All Rights Reserved | Theme: BlockWP by Candid Themes.
    Beheer cookie toestemming
    Om de beste ervaringen te bieden, gebruiken wij technologieën zoals cookies om informatie over je apparaat op te slaan en/of te raadplegen. Door in te stemmen met deze technologieën kunnen wij gegevens zoals surfgedrag of unieke ID's op deze site verwerken. Als je geen toestemming geeft of uw toestemming intrekt, kan dit een nadelige invloed hebben op bepaalde functies en mogelijkheden.
    Functioneel Always active
    De technische opslag of toegang is strikt noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel het gebruik mogelijk te maken van een specifieke dienst waarom de abonnee of gebruiker uitdrukkelijk heeft gevraagd, of met als enig doel de uitvoering van de transmissie van een communicatie over een elektronisch communicatienetwerk.
    Voorkeuren
    De technische opslag of toegang is noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel voorkeuren op te slaan die niet door de abonnee of gebruiker zijn aangevraagd.
    Statistieken
    De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend voor statistische doeleinden wordt gebruikt. De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend wordt gebruikt voor anonieme statistische doeleinden. Zonder dagvaarding, vrijwillige naleving door uw Internet Service Provider, of aanvullende gegevens van een derde partij, kan informatie die alleen voor dit doel wordt opgeslagen of opgehaald gewoonlijk niet worden gebruikt om je te identificeren.
    Marketing
    De technische opslag of toegang is nodig om gebruikersprofielen op te stellen voor het verzenden van reclame, of om de gebruiker op een website of over verschillende websites te volgen voor soortgelijke marketingdoeleinden.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    Bekijk voorkeuren
    {title} {title} {title}