The Trials of Jamestown: An Investigation of the External Factors Influencing England’s First American Colony

This paper closely examines the first years of the colony of Jamestown and the factors contributing to its initial failures. While drawing attention to the faults of the settlers themselves, investigations of different primary and secondary sources work to shine a light on outside influences such as the imbalance of political power in the governmental structure, a lack of proper preparation, as well as the extreme social circumstances and pressures the settlers would have endured. With these factors in consideration, this paper highlights the positive contributions of the colony, drawing on the works of Karen Kupperman to expand on the notion of Jamestown as a model for future colonies. This paper essentially argues that England’s first colony was ultimately a success, in spite of the many trials it faced, as it not only persevered through these hardships, but provided guidelines essential to the founding of future colonies in North America