Attempted colonisation of Virginia Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What was Sir Walter Raleigh's role in the colonisation of Virginia?

He was granted a royal charter by Elizabeth in 1584 and organised and financed the expeditions that founded the Roanoke colony in 1585.

Give one reason the English attempted to colonise Virginia.

To provide a base from which English ships could attack Spanish treasure fleets in the Atlantic.

Give one reason Raleigh's first colony in Virginia failed.

The colonists fell into conflict with the Algonquian people, from whom they constantly demanded food and supplies.

True or false? Raleigh sent mainly experienced farmers to set up the first Virginia colony.

False. Most of the first colonists were soldiers and gentlemen, and few had farming skills, so successful agriculture was hard to begin.

Give one way poor leadership weakened the first Virginia colony (1585–86).

Sir Richard Grenville, who commanded the fleet, was hot-tempered and quarrelled with Ralph Lane, the colony's governor, so the settlers lacked clear direction.

Why did the first Virginia colonists run short of food?

They arrived too late in the year to plant crops, and some of their supplies were ruined when seawater got into one of their ships.

How did the war with Spain contribute to the failure of the first Virginia colony?

From 1585 England was effectively at war with Spain, so ships were needed at home and few were free to resupply the colonists.