Question: Briefly compare the economic situation in the Jamestown colony before and after John Rolfe's "discovery" of tobacco. How did Rolfe "save" the Jamestown colony from economic collapse?
Answer: <em>The Tobacco industry was established by colonist John Rolfe in 1613. Before this, the Jamestown colonists were going through an economic crisis, often referred as “The Starving Time,” a very difficult time between the colonists and Indians and the deaths of many English people from starvation and disease. Because of this, they had decided to abandon Jamestown, but settlers from England arrived and they were determined to find wealth in Virginia. They began the Tobacco Industry and this stimulated the growth of the Virginia colony in a very rapid manner and incremented the economy of Jamestown. In conclusion, John Rolfe saved the Jamestown colony from economic collapse. </em>
Explanation: Jamestown was America’s first permanent English colony, in Virginia, 1607. These early Virginians government, language, customs and beliefs are a part of the United States’ heritage today. James Town was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors who hoped to profit from the venture. John Smith became the colony’s leader in September 1608, and established a “no work, no food” policy. Smith had been the main person to establish trading with the Powhatan Indians for food. Smith’s death was followed by the “starving time,” a very difficult time between the colonists and Indians and the deaths of many English people from starvation and disease. Due to this, the colonists had decided to abandon Jamestown in 1610, but settlers from England arrived and they were determined to find wealth in Virginia. These settlers tried to make a profit for the Virginia Company by building glassmaking industries, wood production industries and more. However, none of their efforts were successful. In 1613, colonist John Rolfe began the Tobacco industry and it was a success. The cultivation required large amounts of land and labor. The Tobacco industry stimulated the growth of the Virginia colony in a very rapid manner. Due to this, settlers decided to occupy the lands of the Powhatan Indians, and increased numbers of indentured servants came to Virginia.
