Study Guide for Early Exploration
(SOL VS 3a,b,c)
DIRECTIONS: Review the following material listed below. Really focus in on those words that
are in bold print.
Reasons for English Colonization (VS3a):
 England wanted to establish an American colony to increase its wealth and power
o Great Britain hoped to find gold and silver in America
o An American settlement would provide raw materials that could not be grown or
obtained in England
o New markets for trade would be opened
Jamestown (VS3a):
 Jamestown was primarily an economic venture
 The stockholders of the Virginia Company of London financed the settlement of
Jamestown
 Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America in 1607
Geography of Jamestown (VS3b)
 When the settlers arrived in 1607, Jamestown was located on a narrow peninsula
bordered on three sides by the James River
o Today, Jamestown is located on an island in the James River.
Reasons for Site Choice (VS3b):




Instructions told the settlers to go inland and find a suitable place for their colony
The location could be easily defended from attack by sea (Spanish)
The water along the shore was deep enough for ships to dock
They believed they had a good supply of fresh water
Reasons Why the King of England Granted Charters to the Virginia Company of London
(VS3c):
 To establish a settlement in North America
 To extend English rights to the settlers
Be sure to review the essay questions that are located on the backside
of this page.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1) England had both economic and political reasons for founding a new colony in the
Virginia Colony. The following are four reasons for English colonization in America
(VS3a):
 England hoped to find gold and silver
 England wanted to increase its wealth and power
 An American settlement would provide raw materials that could not be grown or
obtained in England
 England wanted to open new markets for trade
2) Jamestown was primarily an economic venture. Explain what an economic venture is
and give a specific example of how establishing a colony in the New World would be
considered an economic venture. (VS3a)
 An economic venture is a venture to make/earn money.
 By establishing a colony in the New World, the colonists would be able to use the
natural resources they found in the New World and start trading them with
other countries, opening new markets for trade. Thus, they would be making
money off of the raw materials they found in the New World.
3) What caused Jamestown to change from one land form to another? (VS3b)
 Weathering and erosion
4) There were three reasons the settlers chose Jamestown. Name them (VS3b):
 The location could be easily defended from attack by sea (Spanish).
 The water along the shore was deep enough for ships to dock.
 They believed they had a good supply of fresh water.
5) The king of England granted charters to the Virginia Company of London to (VS3c):
 Establish a settlement in North America
 Extend English rights to the settlers