Final answer:
Early settlers of western Virginia were primarily English colonists driven by the search for land and wealth, the desire to rise in social status, and religious missions. Jamestown was one of the first settlements, and tobacco agriculture became the region's economic mainstay, involving the use of slave labor. Expansion beyond the Appalachians caused conflicts with Native American tribes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early settlers of western Virginia were primarily English colonists seeking opportunities for a better life. They settled in the region for various reasons, including the quest for land and resources, the aspiration to rise into the ranks of the gentry, and the propagation of the Christian religion.
One of the first successful English settlements in the New World was Jamestown, established in 1607 near the Chesapeake Bay. The settlers, who were part of the Virginia Company of London, were motivated by the prospects of finding gold and other resources, and by religious missions directed towards native populations. Over time, however, the economic focus shifted to tobacco agriculture as it became the most profitable venture. Slavery also became a significant aspect of the colony with the arrival of the first Africans, contributing to the growth of the tobacco economy.
Following the end of the French and Indian War, Virginian landowners sought to diversify their investments due to stagnant tobacco prices and depleted land fertility. This desire led them to push beyond the Appalachian Mountains, often leading to conflicts with the Native American tribes that inhabited the region.