Why Did so Many Colonist Die?
Mr. Hazlett
History 201
In May 1607, 110 Englishmen arrived at what was to be the first permanent English colony in what is now the United States. Of the original 110 settlers, only 40 would be alive at the end of December. Why did so many colonist die? So many colonist died due to disease, starvation, or the weather or seasonal changes.
Many of the colonist died due to disease. In document A it says, “disease in the early years to Jamestown’s position at the salt-fresh water transition, where filth introduced into the river tended to fester rather than flush away”, which was not good for the settlers. Due to the waste just staying instead of floating away the water became unclean and unsanitary and if consumed by the settlers they would become ill with the disease and possibly die. Document E, shows us that in August through October of the year 1607, summer sickness killed half the colonist. In the year 1608, Smith reports “many dead, some sick”. The summer of the year 1609-1610, it says “disease returns, 100 at Jamestown “sickened and a half the number dies” With all that being said it’s safe to say that a big cause of the colonist death was disease.
Colonist died due to lack of food. Document A states that, “the island is not situated at a point of great natural food abundance… Fish are present in local streams, but only in the spring and early summer are they there in impressive abundance….” Which means that not a lot of food grows on the island and there is also a lack of food in the water. There was also a drought in the early years of Jamestown which didn’t help with the lack of food. Without water things are unable to grow. Document D states that West and the crew decided that the food would not be enough to last the winter in Jamestown so instead of taking the food to Jamestown, where it was needed, they took it with them on their journey back to England.
Weather and seasonal changes also caused in the deaths of the settlers. Document A makes it
History 201
In May 1607, 110 Englishmen arrived at what was to be the first permanent English colony in what is now the United States. Of the original 110 settlers, only 40 would be alive at the end of December. Why did so many colonist die? So many colonist died due to disease, starvation, or the weather or seasonal changes.
Many of the colonist died due to disease. In document A it says, “disease in the early years to Jamestown’s position at the salt-fresh water transition, where filth introduced into the river tended to fester rather than flush away”, which was not good for the settlers. Due to the waste just staying instead of floating away the water became unclean and unsanitary and if consumed by the settlers they would become ill with the disease and possibly die. Document E, shows us that in August through October of the year 1607, summer sickness killed half the colonist. In the year 1608, Smith reports “many dead, some sick”. The summer of the year 1609-1610, it says “disease returns, 100 at Jamestown “sickened and a half the number dies” With all that being said it’s safe to say that a big cause of the colonist death was disease.
Colonist died due to lack of food. Document A states that, “the island is not situated at a point of great natural food abundance… Fish are present in local streams, but only in the spring and early summer are they there in impressive abundance….” Which means that not a lot of food grows on the island and there is also a lack of food in the water. There was also a drought in the early years of Jamestown which didn’t help with the lack of food. Without water things are unable to grow. Document D states that West and the crew decided that the food would not be enough to last the winter in Jamestown so instead of taking the food to Jamestown, where it was needed, they took it with them on their journey back to England.
Weather and seasonal changes also caused in the deaths of the settlers. Document A makes it