Question

Which of the following were problems faced by the English colonists at Jamestown?

Select the two correct answers.
A. The colony employed many indentured servants and paying them was difficult.
B. They settled in an unsecure location and were vulnerable to Spanish attack.
C. The location of the colony made life difficult for the settlers.
D. The settlers believed that farming was beneath them, so they did not plant crops for the winter.

Answer 1

The English colonists at Jamestown struggled with life in an unsuitable location and had a disdain for farming, contributing to severe deprivation and near failure of the colony.

Step-by-step explanation:

The problems faced by the English colonists at Jamestown included difficult living conditions and a lack of commitment to farming essentials for survival. The correct answers to the question are:

• C. The location of the colony made life difficult for the settlers.
• D. The settlers believed that farming was beneath them, so they did not plant crops for the winter.

The settlers at Jamestown faced a brutal reality underscored by poor health, lack of food, and deadly altercations with the Native peoples, particularly during the "starving time" of 1609-1610. Their preoccupation with finding gold and the internal political disputes rather than focusing on agriculture greatly undermined their stability and survival chances. It was only the cultivation of tobacco by John Rolfe that eventually led to the colony's economic success and the establishment of a plantation system that relied heavily on indentured servants and later on a sizeable slave labor force.

Answer 2

C and D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The settlers built a fort in Powhatan Indians' territory, starting their complicated relationship.

After Captain Newport's departure, the settlers contracted many diseases due to the lack of food and proper drinking water.

The Chief of Powhatan Indians sent food to help the settlers. However, during a drought, they demanded more food from the Indians and their troubled relationship broke down.

In winter 1609/10 - which is known as "Starving Time" - they were so afraid to leave the fort, they started to eat anything they could find, including fellow settlers.