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Early Jamestown settlers were motivated by a desire for: (Why did they want to go to Jamestown?)

A) Religious freedom
B) Economic opportunities and profit
C) Political power
D) Cultural exchange

User Pdm
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Early Jamestown settlers were primarily motivated by economic opportunities and profit, seeking wealth through commercial ventures like tobacco cultivation, rather than religious freedom, political power, or cultural exchange. Option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The early settlers of Jamestown were primarily motivated by economic opportunities and profit. Seeking to make their fortunes, they were adventurers driven not by a desire for religious freedom, political power, or cultural exchange, but by the prospects of wealth through activities such as the lucrative tobacco trade.

Unlike the Pilgrims who sought religious freedom, the settlers of Jamestown were inspired by mercantilism and the chance to rise into the ranks of gentry as indicated by historian Daniel Boorstin.

Their focus on commercial ventures was evident, with early efforts geared towards finding gold and later shifting to tobacco cultivation, which required an extensive labor force and led to the development of the plantation system and the encouragement of the slave trade.

So Option B is correct answer.

User Jeff Lauder
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