Unit 1.2 Homework: Starving Time

Last updated over 1 year ago

8 questions

The English settlement at Jamestown had been established on May 24, 1607. The initial small group of 104 men and boys chose the location because it was favorable for defensive purposes, but it offered poor hunting prospects and a shortage of drinking water. Although they did some farming, few of the original settlers were accustomed to manual labor or familiar with farming. The colonists were largely dependent upon trade with the Native Americans and periodic supply ships from England for their food. 

Unit 1.2 Homework: Starving Time

Last updated over 1 year ago

8 questions

The Starving Time at Jamestown in the Colony of Virginia was a period of starvation during the winter of 1609–1610. There were about 600 Jamestown residents at the beginning of the winter. However, there were only 61 people still alive when the spring arrived.

The colonists, the first group of whom had originally arrived on May 13, 1607, had never planned to grow all of their own food. Their plans depended upon trade with the local Powhatan tribe to supply them with food between the arrivals of scarce supply ships from England. Lack of access to water and a relatively dry rain season crippled the agricultural production of the colonists. Also, the water that the colonists drank was brackish and potable for only half of the year.

The English settlement at Jamestown had been established on May 24, 1607. The initial small group of 104 men and boys chose the location because it was favorable for defensive purposes, but it offered poor hunting prospects and a shortage of drinking water. Although they did some farming, few of the original settlers were accustomed to manual labor or familiar with farming. The colonists were largely dependent upon trade with the Native Americans and periodic supply ships from England for their food. 

What was one pro of Jamestown's location?

A series of incidents with the Native Americans soon developed into serious conflicts, ending any hope of an alliance with them. This forced the settlers into close quarters, behind fortified walls, severely limiting their ability to farm the area and trade with other Indian tribes. Various attempts at farming led to continued conflicts with the natives. The combination of disease and conflict almost obliterated the initial English population.

Why were the colonists unable to trade with different native tribes?

From there, things only seemed to get worse. The colony was perpetually short on food. The malnutrition made the settlers vulnerable to disease, which quickly set in and began killing off the colonists. The colony began to stave. 

Several primary accounts of the period reference acts of cannibalism. But for many years, they were dismissed as myths. But in 2013, archeologists made a gruesome discovery that proved the accounts were true. In a trash heap dating from the period at the site, researchers found the remains of a 14-year-old girl. From cut marks along the bones, it was obvious that she had been butchered.

In your own words, what is cannibalism? Use your research skills (ie:Google) if you are unsure!

Doug Owsley, head of physical anthropology at the Smithsonian, examined the remains and concluded that t
the cuts were made by desperate people, driven to eat their dead by Starving Time. “They were clearly interested in cheek meat, muscles of the face, tongue, and brain,” Owsley continued.

Starving Time turned out to be the worst period in Jamestown’s history. Over the next few decades, the colony began to thrive. It proved to be an important element in England’s eventual colonization of North America.

Unit 1.2 Homework: Starving Time

Unit 1.2 Homework: Starving Time

What was one pro of Jamestown's location?

Why were the colonists unable to trade with different native tribes?

In your own words, what is cannibalism? Use your research skills (ie:Google) if you are unsure!

What was the Jamestown colonists' plan to secure food?

As used in the text, "crippled" most nearly means

What was one pro of Jamestown's location?

As used in the text, "quarters" most nearly means

Why were the colonists unable to trade with different native tribes?

As used in the text, "perpetually" most nearly means

In your own words, what is cannibalism? Use your research skills (ie:Google) if you are unsure!

Why does Owsley believe the 14 year old girl was butchered?

What was the Jamestown colonists' plan to secure food?

As used in the text, "crippled" most nearly means

As used in the text, "quarters" most nearly means

As used in the text, "perpetually" most nearly means

Why does Owsley believe the 14 year old girl was butchered?