Final answer:
Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in 1607. Its survival was contingent on leadership, notably John Smith's diplomacy with Native Americans. The colony succeeded economically with tobacco cultivation, but this led to the establishment of the plantation system and the introduction of the slave trade, which had devastating effects on the indigenous Powhatan Confederacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Events in the History of Jamestown
The first permanent English settlement in North America was established at Jamestown in 1607. Initially, the colonists aimed to find gold, a western passage to the Pacific, and the Lost Colony, but none of these objectives were met. The survival of Jamestown swung heavily on its leadership; it thrived under strong leaders like John Smith and struggled otherwise. Smith's diplomatic approach with the Powhatan Indians contrasted with other English leaders who often resorted to violence. Unfortunately, the majority of colonists could not farm well, leading to a severe famine known as "the starving time" in the winter of 1609-1610.
The arrival of a supply ship in 1610 prevented the complete destruction of the colony. Eventually, the colony's economic fortunes changed with the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe, which became a major cash crop. This economic success spurred the development of the plantation system and increased demand for labor, leading to the use of indentured servants and the beginning of the slave trade in the colonies.
Jamestown's legacy is complex; while it was successful as a colony and established the first legislature in the New World, this success significantly impacted the native populations. The Powhatan Confederacy, in particular, faced destruction through disease and conflict, brought about by decades of English contact.