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Colonization and Conflict:
1607 through the American Revolution
Session 1:
Jamestown
Materials
- Paper King James crown
- Sign and poster (see below)
- Copy of the first charter of the Virginia Company of London and samples of the other charters
- Textbook, trade books, or other instructional materials
- Computer with Internet access
Instructional Activities
NOTE: The following Web site, which consists of ten concise, easy-to-read chapters on Virginia history, will be helpful in the study of this unit: <http://www.vahistorical.org/storyofvirginia.htm>.
- Select a group of students to hold a sign that says Virginia Company of London. On the opposite side of the room, have one or two students hold a map of Virginia. In another section have one student portray the king by wearing a paper crown and holding a poster that looks like a charter. Set the scene by reading the following scenario:
Groups of businessmen who live in England are trying to increase their wealth. They are all members of the Virginia Company of London. They have decided that Virginia is a good place to locate an English colony because they suspect that there is gold and/or silver there. They also hope to find natural resources that could be used to produce products for new markets for English trade. The businessmen will not travel themselves, but need to find men who will travel; They also need to provide ships and supplies for the journey and settlement. They also need permission from King James, and so they present their case. King James grants a charter allowing them to proceed.
Have the student playing King James read the first charter of the Virginia Company of London. Information about the Charters of Virginia is available at <http://www.jamestowne.org/Royalc.htm>.
- Review the reasons for the colonization and settlement in Virginia. Discuss the importance of the Virginia charters with the class. Stress how Jamestown was an economic venture. Share samples of the charters from Virginia: “The History and Culture of a Commonwealth” from The Library of Virginia. Charters are available at the following Web address: <http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/primarysources/virginia/before.html>.
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